Academy welcomes major philanthropic award for the humanities

An American media magnate has donated £20m to the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies to advance the study and preservation of Buddhist and Hindu art in South East Asia. Fred Eychaner, a SOAS alumnus, made the donation through his philanthropic Alphawood Foundation. Welcoming the announcement, Dr Robin Jackson, the Academy’s Chief Executive said 'This is a generous benefaction for the humanities, and will strengthen a field of keen interest to scholars of south-east Asian art and culture.'