For Sale: Lunch With Murdoch

Forget second-hand shoes, collectable keyrings and broken-down cars, the hottest item up for auction on eBay is an entirely different proposition: a private lunch with Rupert Murdoch.

With a reserve price of $25,000 (£14,152), bids are being invited for the opportunity of an audience with the News Corp chairman and chief executive over lunch in the private executive dining room at the company's plush Manhattan headquarters.

But it's not a sudden dearth of dining companions that has pushed Mr Murdoch into auctioning himself - the initiative is a fundraiser for the Jerusalem College of Technology, whose students apply state-of-the-art techniques to communication systems.

Mr Murdoch has long established links with the Israeli hi-tech industry, with News Corp subsidiary NDS, which develops the firm's satellite encryption software, having offices in the country.

"Israel has grown from a developing country to a global leader in advanced technologies.

"The Jerusalem College of Technology is at the forefront of this achievement, producing top-notch graduates whose world-class education will no doubt lead to many innovations and advances in the world of information technology," he said.

Professor Joseph Bodenheimer, the JCT president, added that Mr Murdoch's "strong understanding of the benefits of scientific research in information technology, micro-electronics, networks and infrastructure" has led to his support for the college.

Bidding begins on Thursday November 3 at 5pm Pacific Daylight Time (10am GMT) and runs for a week, with all of the money going to the college.

According to the organisation's British office, the Canadian branch of the Friends of JCT charity is organising the eBay auction.

The winning bidder and four friends will be free to give Mr Murdoch a grilling on News Corporation's vast empire - which includes the Fox television network, the Times and Sun newspapers, BSkyB and Asia's Star TV.

Rival media organisations may end up vying for the dinner ticket alongside individuals eager to get a taste of life inside the Murdoch inner circle.

The lunch will be listed through eBay Giving Works, the charity listings on eBay offering not-for-profit organistions a way to raise funds and awareness. Details of the auction can be found at eBay.com/rupertmurdoch