The world’s largest pulp supplier and one of Brazil’s biggest employers, Suzano, today announces a US$13.5 million gift to Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability. This donation is part of the company’s centenary initiative, which is providing up to US$100 million to organizations, with the aim of empowering the next generation of leaders to tackle sustainability challenges and advancing global efforts to protect and restore nature.
Suzano’s funding will be used to support faculty and students undertaking critical academic research related to Brazil and sustainability, which may include areas such as conservation of biodiversity, restoration of natural habitats, climate mitigation and adaptation, and other relevant social and environmental issues.
Professorship and graduate fellowships
This will endow a new Suzano Professorship at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, as well as provide six fellowships in perpetuity for graduate students at Master’s and PhD level with research interests in Brazil or past experience in the country. This will be supported by a proactive recruiting campaign, dedicated to identifying talented candidates and encouraging them to apply.
Suzano’s gift follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the school last year to collaborate on mutual sustainability goals.
Beto Abreu, Chief Executive Officer of Suzano, said:
“At Suzano, we know the future of our business depends on a healthy natural environment and climate, which is why sustainability is so integral to our business strategy. Our centenary initiative is designed to help develop the next generation of experts and leaders the world needs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to protect our planet. We are proud to be supporting scholars at one of the world’s leading universities to enable academic research, which will be essential in creating new knowledge and developing innovative solutions to solve environmental and social challenges.”
Arun Majumdar, the Chester Naramore Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and Jay Precourt Professor, said:
“At the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, we are committed to providing future leaders with the expertise needed to drive meaningful progress in sustainability. We are delighted to receive support from Suzano as we work to address some of the most pressing global sustainability challenges of our time.”
This initiative forms part of Suzano’s centenary initiative, which has also seen the company collaborate with institutions including the University of Cambridge and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).