Here, it will happen was officially launched to our European community as alumni and supporters gathered at Le Cercle de l'Union Interalliée in Paris to celebrate UCL’s ambitious new chapter.

This April, a UCL delegation visited Paris for a diverse programme of activities, bolstering UCL’s position at the heart of European research, education and policy.  

Included in this programme was the Paris launch of Here, it will happen – UCL’s landmark philanthropic and engagement campaign, which will deliver a third century of progress and impact. 

Welcoming nearly 150 of UCL’s European community, the event was hosted by UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence and Professor Lauren Andres, Pro-Vice-Provost for UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, and offered an insight into how UCL is tackling the world’s most urgent challenges in technology, health and social policy head-on. 

Here, we transform the world through technology 

Guests were joined by two of UCL’s agenda-setting academics, who shared more about their work to understand and mobilise the world’s rapidly changing technological landscape for good. Benjamin Guedj, Professor of Machine Learning and Foundational AI at the UCL Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Department of Computer Science, and Angela Aristidou, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the UCL School of Management, both work at the forefront of artificial intelligence research.  

Professor Benjamin Guedj highlighted his work to improve the mathematical foundations of AI and shared how we can improve our confidence in the prediction of AI models.  

“When you bring together mathematics, machine learning, domain expertise, and real-world constraints, you don’t just improve performance. You fundamentally change the nature of decision-making. You move from systems that predict, to systems that inform, guide and empower human judgement.” 

Professor Angela Aristidou shared her work on building frameworks that support the real-world application of AI, ensuring that smaller organisations don’t get left behind in AI adoption. 

 “The fact is that technology firms are developing extraordinary technologies - but not for the environments where these technologies could create the greatest social value.  And that is why we’re building the UCL Centre for Transformative Technologies. A global hub dedicated to ensuring that the most powerful technologies of our time work for all organisations and especially those working for social good.” 

Guests also had the opportunity to hear from alum Christiana Onyebujoh (UCL Drug Discovery and Pharma Management MSc 2018), who shared her personal experience of the value of alumni connections and mentorship, and emphasised the power of UCL’s global community. The evening wrapped-up with a canape reception where connections were made, renewed and deepened.   

Browse full gallery

Read more about UCL’s visit to Paris 

UCL Provost meets French President and strengthens European partnerships during high level visit 

UCL and UNESCO partner to tackle global inequalities in education 

 

Support Here, it will happen 

We are inviting alumni around the world to help shape the next chapter of UCL’s history and ensure that Here, it will happen. 

There are many ways to support Here, it will happen by volunteering your time, knowledge and expertise. Explore our volunteer programmes to find out more about how you can help maximise our global impact.  

 

Here it will happen international celebrations 

Throughout 2026, Dr Michael Spence, UCL’s President & Provost, and Angharad Milenkovic, Vice President (Advancement), will be travelling to further cities across the globe to meet alumni and supporters and share more detail about the Here, it will happen campaign and celebrate UCL’s Bicentenary. 

  • Delhi - 6 June 2026 - Coming soon
  • San Francisco - September 2026* - Coming soon
  • Dubai - October 2026* - Coming soon 

  • Singapore - November 2026* - Coming soon  

    *Final dates to be confirmed