Jessie – many congratulations on the success of The Future Says Surrey, which has raised £70.3m. Three years ago, at launch, could you have dreamt it would go so well? 

Jessie: Thank you!

The launch was a very special day. Many of us remember the extreme wind which pushed the marquee to its limits! Despite the weather, it was wonderful to bring together the Surrey community – staff, students and alumni alongside our Chancellor, HRH The Duke of Kent.

Of course I hoped for the best, but I must admit, it looked like a hugely ambitious target. The Future Says Surrey was the first philanthropic campaign in the University’s history and we definitely didn’t start small. Three years on, it feels amazing to say that not only did we achieve our target, we exceeded it.

What, in your view, has made The Future Says Surrey such a powerful campaign? 

Jessie: I think a huge part of the power of this campaign is its expansive reach. With research projects ranging from sign language translation to vaccinology, they all shared a collective aim – to create a healthier, more sustainable and inclusive future. But while we’re working to create a global impact, we’re also seeing The Future Says Surrey make a significant difference to our students on campus here in Guildford. It’s been amazing to see the way scholarships can change lives for ambitious young people in difficult circumstances. Likewise, it’s been inspiring to see the ongoing support of the Forever Surrey Fund which gives emergency financial support to students. The lovely part of having a three year campaign is that we’ve followed many students through their Surrey journeys – from their first year right through to graduation.

The groundbreaking research and students supported across the campaign highlights the very best of Surrey.

You mention the power of the Surrey community. What makes that community so special? 

Jessie: I am always amazed that despite the scale of our community, including over 148,000 alumni across the world, we are all connected by a special sauce! Warmth and generosity, with a desire to contribute to positive change.

Over the last few years, it’s been a privilege to meet alumni in London, Guildford, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vancouver and Dubai to name a few. Despite some being a long way from Surrey, at all these events I’ve been welcomed so warmly. The golden thread that connects us all – the University of Surrey! This community highlights the lasting impact of a Surrey education and I’m proud to see alumni carry this with them in their careers globally.

There have been so many generous donations from supporters. Could you highlight a few that have special significance? 

Jessie: With the launch of the Medical School at Surrey in 2024, the generosity of alumna Sam Dawson (BSc Biochemistry 1978) and her husband John was particularly significant. Their donation created scholarships to support UK students studying Medicine, creating the next generation of doctors. The launch of the Medical School was already hugely exciting, and these scholarships made it even more special.

You must have met some incredible people over the last three years. Are you able to give us an insight into some of the people behind the success story? 

Jessie: Absolutely! It’s been a pleasure to build relationships with our alumni and hear their stories. Cled  (BSc Chemical Engineering 1978) and Val Cole (BSc Human Biology 1978)  for example first met at Surrey 50 years ago and have generously supported the Forever Surrey Fund over the years. Their ongoing support has been transformational for students facing financial hardship and we were proud to unveil a plaque in The Hive to honour their donation to Surrey students. Cled has also been a dedicated volunteer for Surrey through the US Fundraising Board - his time and insights have played an important part in shaping our campaign.

I was lucky enough to meet Battersea Scholarship recipient, Anwar. Witnessing his journey here at Surrey, beginning with financial hardship and personal bereavement and concluding with his graduation was truly inspiring. Anwar is bright and ambitious -- receiving a scholarship helped him flourish here.

I’ve also been inspired by the commitment of our volunteers across the world – these people selflessly give their time to support Surrey, students and bring our community together. Over 6000 alumni and students now benefit from exchanging career tips and mentoring support on our platform SurreyConnects. Additionally, our alumni club leaders are brilliant representatives for Surrey across the world, bringing the community together via networking events and receptions.

I’m grateful to the members of our The Future Says Surrey Campaign Board and our US Board, who generously volunteer their time to support Surrey. Their insights behind the scenes have been crucial to the success of The Future Says Surrey.

The campaign aims to inject funds into key areas of research, including people-centred artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and health. What has been achieved so far? 

Jessie: In just three years, we’ve seen amazing achievements across these areas of research. A highlight of our research into sustainability was the Space4Nature project in collaboration with the Surrey Wildlife Trust. This research combines satellite-based earth observation technology with artificial intelligence to monitor and protect biodiversity. We’ve already had habitats restored and created in Surrey, but this work has scope to go far beyond this and protect crucial biodiversity across the world.

The launch of Immunology as part of the School of Biosciences at Surrey was a big milestone for us. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we develop new technology and treatment to prepare society for future infectious diseases. With Professor Christine Rollier installed as the Chair of Vaccinology, research is already underway to develop stronger responses to vaccines in the elderly and combat antimicrobial resistance.