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The former CEO and executive chairman of Google, Eric Schmidt, 59 years old, he decided to donate one million euros for the restoration of the Garisenda. The news, anticipated by Rest of the Pug, immediately went around the web. From December to today, many entrepreneurs, banks and institutions have come forward to support the Municipality in the very delicate restoration work of the work of art, symbol of the Emilian capital. The figure offered by the top manager of Silicon Valley, however, is the most huge amount to save the structure at risk of collapse.
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The reasons for the generous donation
Eric Schmidt lived in Bologna with his family as a child. He was also awarded an honorary degree in 2021 by the Department of Business Sciences in recognition of the role he has played in numerous sectors.
Eric Schmidt was CEO and president of Google from 2001 to 2011, Executive President from 2011 to 2018 and more recently Technical Advisor from 2018 to 2020. Visionary technologist and central figure in the years of industrial and systemic development of Silicon Valley, Schmidt was at the helm of the Californian company during the period of its dizzying growth on the international scene: he was responsible for the transformation of a start-up founded by two young computer scientists into one of the most influential companies in the world. He is credited with having contributed significantly to the creation of Alphabet, the holding company that controls Google and a series of other innovative companies in the field of technology. After leaving the tech giant, he co-founded Schmidt Futures.
This donation follows that of 3 million euros in favor of the Bologna Business School. Schmidt’s rapprochement with Bologna occurred thanks to Alec Rossformer advisor to US President Barack Obama and professor at the Bologna Business School, directed by the Dean Massimo Bergami and the president Romano Prodi.
Thanks from Mayor Lepore
“We are grateful to Eric Shmidt and his Foundation for this generous demonstration of affection towards our city and of trust in the ability to safeguard our most important symbol: the two Towers of Bologna and in particular the Garisenda tower”, said the mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore.
“Our city is receiving international attention, we must be proud and aware of it – adds the mayor -. The two towers have left their mark in the hearts of many, in particular in the hearts of those who have lived in Bologna. Eric Smith he is a leader of thought and innovation on a global level, which is why his gesture takes on even greater significance in the city of supercomputers and towers in the world.”
