Tata Group and Somerville College at the University of Oxford have unveiled plans for the Ratan Tata Building, an initiative aimed at significantly enhancing the college’s teaching and learning environments.
Somerville College was able to honor the late Ratan Tata by constructing a structure in his honor thanks to its relationship with the chairperson of the Tata group Emeritus. Anticipated to begin in the spring of 2025, this project will promote Somerville’s objective of a sustainable and forward-thinking academic community while facilitating influential worldwide research.
The development reflects a decade-long friendship between Somerville College and the late Ratan Tata, Chairperson Emeritus of Tata Group. The building will include new seminar rooms, offices, collaborative study spaces, reception areas, and accommodation for visiting scholars.
The Tata Group is set to create a dedicated home for the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD) within the new Ratan Tata Building. This Centre will be positioned directly opposite the Blavatnik School of Government, making use of the last available development plot on the distinguished Radcliffe Observatory Quarter site.
The OICSD is focused on tackling significant global issues through research and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development in India and internationally.
By incorporating this centre into the new facility, the Tata Group underscores its commitment to academic collaboration while enhancing Somerville College’s vision of fostering an innovative educational atmosphere.
The establishment of the OICSD will provide a crucial venue for scholars and practitioners to engage in transformative research, encourage interdisciplinary partnerships, and develop impactful solutions for sustainability challenges.
The design selected for the building was created by Morris+Company, a London-based architectural firm, marking their inaugural project at the University of Oxford.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, stated, “In Tata’s vision for India, the pursuit of research and critical inquiry is integral to fostering development and prosperity. This collaboration with Somerville College pays homage to Ratan Tata’s values.
“The building dedicated to his legacy will serve as a hub for research that is both essential and timely for India,” he added.
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Source: India Today
