Oxford institute to seek solutions to world's problems.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

A research centre seeking solutions to some of the greatest problems facing the world today is being established at Oxford University.

Funded by a multi-million pound endowment from the digital technologies expert James Martin, the centre, which is being inaugurated today, will research issues including climate change, wealth inequality and epidemics such as Aids and Sars.

The James Martin 21st Century School, as the centre will be known, is the second big benefaction to the university by Dr Martin. Last year, he helped to establish the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilisation to look at issues concerning science, technology and the environment. The new donation, worth AGBP3m a year in perpetuity, takes the former Keble College student's total contributions to Oxford to some AGBP60m.

The new school will be run by a director and a small staff, expected to be announced in the summer, and will incorporate the work of nine other institutes attached to the university, including the James Martin Institute, the Environmental Change Institute, the e-Horizons Institute and the Oxford Institute of Ageing.

With the exception of the James Martin Institute, projects will be initially funded for ...