In a round table organized by Queen Mary, University of London, the head of Santander UK discussed with members of the university community the important role universities play to educate students into entrepreneurship, developing new ideas that will eventually become successful businesses.
Attendees acknowledged the importance of collaboration between private institutions and universities to ensure that the knowledge generated at universities can eventually be channelled into society.
Ms. Botin said: “At Santander we have been supporting universities through our Santander Universities Global Division since 1997. Students are the future of our society and their brilliant entrepreneurial ideas of today will be the successful and wealth-generating business of the future. I can’t think of a better place than Queen Mary, University of London to discuss entrepreneurship. This university has placed innovation at the core of its agenda for many years and such a forward-thinking approach has recently been rewarded with an invitation to join the prestigious Russell Group.”
During her visit to the university Ms. Botin met with Principal Professor Simon Gaskell and took the opportunity to discuss new ways of collaboration between both institutions.
Professor Gaskell said: "Queen Mary has a strong entrepreneurial spirit: our innovative approach to knowledge creation and dissemination helps define us as an institution and enables us to achieve our ambitious goals. Encouraging entrepreneurial activity amongst our students is important not only for their future, but for the future of the wider economy and society. We are delighted to be hosting this discussion today and encourage students to demonstrate their entrepreneurial flair by entering the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards."
Santander, through its Santander Universities Global Division, signed a 3-year agreement with the university in November last year. The collaboration means that the Bank provides funding for scholarships, mobility grants and entrepreneurial activities.
The Bank has also announced the call for entries for the second edition of the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards. Students from nearly 60 UK universities that collaborate with Santander can submit their entries. For a list of these universities go to: www.santander.co.uk/universities
Entries for the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards will be divided into two categories: Undergraduate and Postgraduate. There are three cash prizes to be won in each, ranging from £1,000 for third prize in the Undergraduate category to £20,000 for 1st prize in the Postgraduate category.
Notes:
Santander Universities
Through its Santander Universities Global Division, Santander has collaborated with universities for more than 15 years on a unique global initiative which distinguishes it from other national and international banks and financial institutions. The bank supports the Higher Education sector in such areas as teaching and research, international cooperation, knowledge and technology transfer, entrepreneurial initiatives, student mobility and innovation. Santander Universities Global Division maintains a stable alliance with nearly 1,010 academic institutions from America, Asia and Europe.
This is a network where universities from all over the world can meet and engage in dialogue. ‘Santander Universities’ was introduced in the UK in 2007 and the bank is already collaborating with fifty-seven British Universities and Higher Education Institutions, with agreements focused in promoting international exchange, entrepreneurial activities and the mobility of students and researchers within the network.
For more information please contact Carlos Leira, Marketing and Communications, Santander Universities UK, carlos.leira@santander.co.uk
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