The University of Hull pays tribute to Dr Assem Allam, whose passion, friendship, support and generosity has transformed the lives of thousands of our students, staff and the wider community.
Dr Allam’s philanthropic association with the University began in 2008, when he donated funds for the impressive 500-seater Allam Lecture Theatre in the University’s Business School.
His generosity continued with significant donations that have allowed the construction of a new bioscience research centre, the Allam Building and shortly after, a significant sum for the construction of the University’s wonderful Allam Medical Building, opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2017.
Dr Allam also made funds available for PhD Scholarships, the magnificent facilities in the Allam Sport Centre including the squash courts, our Talented Athlete Programme, and donated to the University’s fund to create urgently needed faceguards for the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to being an honorary graduate of the University, Dr Allam was always a welcome visitor to our campus. Many University staff share fond memories of his kind, supportive attitude as well as his appreciative nature and quiet dignity.
Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “Dr Allam has been a wonderful friend and generous supporter to our University. He had a passion for education and a drive to ensure this University benefitted from some of the finest facilities around. Our stunning Allam Medical Building is a wonderful example where our healthcare and medical students have the advantage of training in truly exceptional facilities.
“Thousands of students have benefitted from Dr Allam’s extraordinary generosity and many, many more will do so in the future. We count ourselves extremely lucky to have had such an extraordinary friend and wonderful benefactor to the University. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family at this time.”