Arizona State University (ASU) has announced the creation of the Global Institute for the Future of Energy, an entity dedicated to education, research and innovation in the energy sector. The project is backed by a $50mn (AED183.65mn) donation from Robert Zorich, managing partner at the investment fund EnCap Investments and alumnus of ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.
The new institute, a joint initiative between ASU’s Global Futures Laboratory and Thunderbird School of Global Management, aims to develop practical solutions to global energy challenges. It will introduce academic programmes, scholarships, and an endowed chair, while also supporting public content initiatives such as Energy Switch, a programme aired on the US public television network PBS.
A university model centred on energy innovation
The stated goal of the institute is to expand access to factual knowledge on global energy issues, relying on interdisciplinary education and collaboration with industry stakeholders. The funding will also support the launch of an executive-in-residence programme, bringing energy sector leaders directly into research, teaching and public engagement.
Initial activities will focus on developing academic curricula, research partnerships and fellowship programmes for students and researchers. The institute aims to expand progressively, starting in Arizona before seeking international collaborations across the energy sector.
Philanthropic commitment focused on skills development
By funding this structure, Robert Zorich seeks to leverage ASU’s global reach and its ability to train future energy sector leaders. University President Michael Crow highlighted the importance of this effort in a context marked by the rapid rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence.
This project aligns with similar initiatives by North American universities aiming to create centres of excellence around contemporary energy issues. It reflects the growing emphasis on advanced skill development to meet the challenges of fast-evolving global energy systems.
