University of St.Gallen receives 23.75 million francs for future fund

The University of St.Gallen has received one of the largest single donations in its history. At this year's Dies academicus, Rector Manuel Ammann announced a donation of 23.75 million Swiss francs.

The donation comes from AS Holding, the parent company of Kistefos, owned by the Norwegian entrepreneur and HSG alumnus Christen Sveaas.

Foundation stone for long-term future fund

The majority of the donation, a total of 20 million Swiss francs, will flow into the establishment of a so-called endowment. This is a long-term capital stock, the income from which is to finance future projects and initiatives of the University.

The model is based on large private US universities, some of which secure their financing via such future funds. The HSG's aim is to build up a long-term capital stock whose returns will benefit future generations of students.

An honorary Investment Committee decides on the investment strategy with the aim of generating sustainable returns.

Support for top students

Kistefos is also providing CHF 3.75 million for the new HSG Best Talents Program. The program was launched in 2025 and is aimed at particularly committed Master's students from Switzerland and Europe. The aim is to specifically promote up to 45 talents each year and prepare them for management tasks.

Thanks to the so-called "Kistefos Best Talents Scholarship", 15 places in the program are financed for the next ten years.

Long-standing ties to the HSG

Christen Sveaas studied at the University of St.Gallen in the 1980s and has been committed to his alma mater both financially and culturally for many years.

My studies in St.Gallen opened doors for me. By supporting the HSG Best Talents Program, I am giving young talents the chance to develop into the responsible leaders we will need in the future.

Christen Sveaas, AS Holding and Kistefos AS

In addition to scholarship programs, he has supported the university with art donations such as the sculpture "Ourea" by British artist Tony Cragg on the Rosenberg campus. Sveaas has been a member of the HSG Advisory Board since 2018 and a member of the Honorary Senate since 2025.

Signal for private university funding in Europe

With the establishment of the Endowment, the University of St.Gallen is sending a clear signal for new financing models in European higher education.

Rector Manuel Ammann sees the donation as an important milestone in securing the University's excellence in the long term and enabling additional projects beyond basic state funding. Sveaas himself also emphasizes that his commitment is intended to motivate other HSG-affiliated sponsors to participate in the development of the Future Fund.

The University of St.Gallen

The University of St.Gallen is one of the most renowned business universities in Europe and has combined academic excellence with a high level of practical relevance and international orientation since its foundation in 1898. Around 10,000 students from some 120 countries study subjects such as business administration, economics, computer science, law, social sciences and international relations at the HSG. The University is particularly well-known for its top positions in international rankings: in the "Financial Times" ranking of European business schools, the HSG was ranked 8th in 2025, while its "Strategy and International Management" Master's program was named the best management Master's program worldwide for the 14th time. The University's profile is complemented by strong research institutes, international accreditations such as EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA as well as a close network of business, research and alumni. In southern Germany in particular, the university is regarded as one of the best in its field and is considered a real incubator for future high performers.