INSEAD, a renowned business school, has announced a significant €20 million donation from the Octapharma Foundation. The donation was made possible by Wolfgang Marguerre, an INSEAD alumnus and the founder of Octapharma. This contribution is seen as a crucial early step in INSEAD's Europe Campus Re-imagination project, initiated in 2023, and marks the third-largest alumni donation in the school's history.
The Dean of INSEAD, Francisco Veloso, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating it "is pivotal to our Europe Campus Re-imagination project, which is dedicated to fostering connections between people, promoting sustainability, and transforming the learning experience. It strengthens our mission of bringing together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society."
The ongoing project aims to enhance the learning environment at INSEAD, emphasizing collaboration, academic excellence, and the integration of digital innovations. It will also incorporate environmentally sustainable practices, aligning modernity with the natural beauty of its surrounding forest in Fontainebleau. Phase One is currently underway, part of a six-phase transformation over approximately ten years.
Reflecting on his donation, Wolfgang Marguerre stated, “My time at INSEAD fundamentally shaped the way I built Octapharma, and supporting the school has always come naturally to me. When the Dean shared the vision for reimagining our campus, I thought of a concert hall and music, my passion. Just as a world-class concert hall inspires artists to perform at their best, a vibrant and modern campus inspires academic excellence and transformative learning experiences. I am delighted we can help INSEAD shape its future through the Octapharma Foundation.”
In acknowledgment of the donation, INSEAD will rename the Plessis Mornay building, embedding both Wolfgang Marguerre's legacy and Octapharma’s contribution into the campus. This donation follows previous substantial contributions from other INSEAD alumni, including Christoph Rubeli, Paul Desmarais Jr., and David Suddens.
Wolfgang Marguerre’s support for INSEAD underscores his commitment to education, excellence, and philanthropy. In 2017, he established the Octapharma Scholarship, and in 2019, he endowed the Octapharma Chair in Decision Neuroscience to further academic excellence at INSEAD.
The Europe Campus Re-imagination project, approved in June 2022, is set to include new teaching facilities, sustainable development, memorable social spaces, and enhanced phygital integration. The first phase is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026.