The foundation was created by a donation from the book publisher Michael Th Hansen, owner of Förlagshuset Norden AB. At the Annual General Meeting, April 24th 1956, it was decided that 2 000 000 kronor would be donated to Lund University to facilitate the construction of a student housing college and the establishment of a scholarship fund with the purpose of supporting young graduate students at Lund University.

Book publisher Hansen passed away on September 6th 1956 and was succeeded as CEO by his wife, Jozzi Hansen, who came to play an important role in completing the donor's wish. The donation was received very well by the university's principal, professor Ragnar Bergendal, who appointed a preparatory committee formed by: professor Ragnar Bergendal (chairman), former librarian Gunnar Carlquist, wife Jozzi Hansen, Disponent Nils-Åke Janséus, ph. lic. Rune Persson, associate professor Martin Weibull and lawyer Anders Winblad.