Monash announces gift to establish international chair in design

Monash University is delighted to announce a major philanthropic gift from Marc Besen AO (Hon LLD, Monash; Hon PhD, Tel Aviv) and Eva Besen AO (Hon LLD, Monash) to create the University’s first endowed research chair in the Faculty of Art & Design.

The Eva and Marc Besen International Research Chair in Design will lead the University’s teaching and research on significant international design topics in disciplines including interior architecture, visual communication, new media and industrial design.

Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design Professor Shane Murray said that the gift would have a significant impact on research in the field of design.

“This generous gift from Eva and Marc Besen will enable the Faculty of Art & Design to recruit an outstanding international leader in design research.  

"The new Chair will work with Faculty staff and students to establish key linkages with the international design community and establish the Faculty as a recognised key provider of design education and research,” said Professor Murray.

“Our thanks go to Eva and Marc for their inspirational philanthropy.”

For philanthropists Eva and Marc Besen, their gift was motivated by a belief that design research could receive greater support from the private sector.

“Everyone’s life can be improved by good design,” said Marc and Eva Besen.

“From the middle of the last century Australia has consistently produced remarkable designers acknowledged as pre-eminent internationally.

“Through endowing this Chair we hope to foster coming generations of outstanding students of design and promote the value of design excellence within the community.”

Pictured from left: Marc Besen AO and Eva Besen AO with Bachelor of Industrial Design student Nick Found.