Oxford University has launched a pioneering new research centre set up to solve the biggest problems facing the world in the 21st century.

Issues including climate change, world poverty, and the threat from global disease epidemics such as Sars and Aids will all be studied at the school.

Funded with one of the biggest endowments in Oxford's history, the James Martin 21st Century School was established specifically to tackle the major threats to the future of the planet.

It will be designed on a 'hub and spoke' model, with a director and small staff at the centre at the Acland Hospital site in Keble College, Banbury Road, and a number of institutes undertaking leading-edge research in their own subject areas.

The centre is named after British-born computing pioneer Dr James Martin, who donated an endowment worth £60m to Oxford.

Dr Martin said he hoped the centre would help tackle the "huge challenges" mankind faced in the 21st century.

He said: "It's essential that our leading thinkers commit time, energy and resources now to finding solutions to these risks and problems which could threaten the future of humanity itself.

"One of the most important activities for a leading university today should be the multi-disciplinary academic thinking needed to find solutions to humanity's biggest problems and address our future opportunities. The 21st Century School at Oxford University will be unique in doing this, with the goal of ensuring a worthy future for new civilisations."

The centre will also examine problems such as an ageing population and the effects of rapidly developing new technologies.

Oxford's vice-chancellor Dr John Hood said: "We're enormously grateful to James Martin for funding this project with this exceptional gift.

"Throughout its history, the University of Oxford has been at the forefront of research and debate on the great issues facing our civilization.

"The James Martin 21st Century School will allow us to continue playing our part in helping tackle the seismic social and technological challenges ahead."

The 21st Century School is Dr Martin's second major gift to Oxford, following the opening of the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilisation last year. For more information, visit www.21school.ox.ac.uk