Tata Group & Oxford's Somerville College Announce Landmark Building To Honour Ratan Tata

Tata Group and Somerville College, Oxford, announce the construction of the Ratan Tata Building, fostering global research and honoring Ratan Tata’s legacy.

New Delhi: Tata Group and Somerville College, University of Oxford, have announced their collaboration on the construction of the Ratan Tata Building, a project aimed at expanding Somerville’s teaching, research, and learning spaces. Set to begin in Spring 2025, this building will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a sustainable and forward-looking academic community, with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable design.

The project has been made possible through the decade-long friendship between Somerville College and Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group. Although the decision to name the new building in his honor was made earlier, his recent passing lends even deeper significance to this tribute.

The building will provide a mix of seminar rooms, offices, shared study spaces, and accommodation for visiting academics, embodying Somerville’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. The landmark building will also house the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD), cementing the institution’s ties with India and supporting world-class scholarship and research. The Tata Group’s generous philanthropic donation has made this transformative project possible.

Located at the prestigious Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, directly opposite the Blavatnik School of Government and the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, the Tata Building will be at the heart of Oxford’s academic hub. The winning architectural design for the building was developed by London-based Morris+Company in their first University of Oxford project.

Baroness Royall, Principal of Somerville College, expressed her gratitude, calling the building a lasting legacy to Mr. Tata’s remarkable life and a dynamic symbol of the enduring partnership between Oxford and India. She also acknowledged Mr. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, for his pivotal role in making the vision a reality.

Mr. N Chandrasekaran commented, “In Mr. Tata’s vision for India, research and critical inquiry were key to development and prosperity. This partnership with Somerville College honors his values, and the building will be a home to vital research for India’s future.”

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