Gopal Subramanium has been inducted into the Chancellor's Court of Benefactors, Oxford University's most distinguished group of academic and financial supporters.
Oxford, UK – The ceremony took place on 7 October and was presided over by The Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes. The Court was founded in 1990 by the late Chancellor Lord Jenkins to recognise eminent businesspeople, supporters, and philanthropists who have made outstanding contributions to the University.
Previous members have backed research projects that have led to ground-breaking scientific discoveries, funded new buildings, and kickstarted new academic initiatives. They have also helped to support the University's work to broaden access to students from disadvantaged backgrounds by supporting new scholarships.
Subramanium was inducted into the Court in recognition of his contributions to Somerville College. In 2019, he was appointed a Foundation Fellow, the highest honour conferred by the College for philanthropy. The Chancellor's Court meets each autumn in Oxford where members engage with the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and other senior decision-makers within the collegiate University.
Subramanium is a former Solicitor General of India and a noted interdisciplinary scholar who holds several academic titles. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of New Delhi, where he helps the Faculty of Law deliver India’s next generation of Supreme Court and High Court judges. He is also a Visiting Professor at Jindal Global Law School.
In September 2020, he founded The Subramanium Study Centre, a new research facility in the heart of Oxford. Drawing on the unique academic and business ecosystems of Oxford, the Centre seeks to advance the understanding of mental health and support the discovery of new treatments for mental health disorders, including clinical depression, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia.
In October 2021, Subramanium was appointed an Honorary Fellow at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL). He brings to BIICL an invaluable perspective on international legal systems, supporting their mission to develop and advance the understanding of international and comparative law globally.
Gopal Subramanium said: "It's a privilege and an honour to be inducted into the Chancellor's Court. I look forward to using this prestigious role to further support the University's world-leading education and research initiatives."
Image courtesy of John Cairns Photography.
From left to right: Gopal Subramanium; Baroness Janet Royall of Blaisdon, Principal of Somerville College; and Lord Patten of Barnes, Chancellor of the University of Oxford.