AN agreement with global bank, Santander, over three years will benefit students, researchers and young entrepreneurs at the University of Stirling.
The University of Stirling’s Principal Professor Gerry McCormac signed the agreement today (15 March) with Luis Juste, Director Santander Universities UK, at the University campus.
With a focus on international exchange and the mobility of students and researchers, Santander through its Santander Universities Global Division will fund scholarship support and awards available to home/EU and overseas students studying at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Four study scholarships will be allocated every year for this purpose. In addition, ten Santander Mobility Awards will support staff and students taking part in academic exchanges, conferences and symposia. Finally, the agreement will focus on entrepreneurship and the importance of support to students in their business ventures.
Santander will support financial awards to top students in annual ‘pitching’ events, facilitating interaction between promising entrepreneurs and experts from the business community, and incubator spaces for the most promising entrepreneurial team to develop their business plans.
Professor McCormac recognises the benefits to Stirling of this international partnership: “Stirling is delighted to have joined the prestigious Santander Universities network. The agreement opens up all kinds of opportunities and Stirling will play a full role as an active member of this worldwide community.”
Luis Juste said: “We would like to welcome the University of Stirling into the big family that is Santander Universities. This long-term partnership with Stirling will facilitate extensive contacts between the university and the countries where Santander Universities is present. Students and staff will have access to scholarships and grants that will allow them to take their studies and research one step further. We look forward to working together in promoting international collaboration and the transfer of knowledge in Stirling’s areas of expertise.”
Says a spokesperson: “The University of Stirling is the eighth Scottish university to sign an agreement with the bank, with Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier, Queen Margaret, St. Andrews, Glasgow Caledonian, Glasgow and Strathclyde already collaborating with Santander. In total, 57 UK universities are now collaborating with Santander and over 1,010 in 16 countries.”
Kerry Bryson, director of Development and External Affairs at Stirling, added: “We are grateful to Santander for their generous support, which ties in directly to the University’s commitment to enhance the student experience and produce world class graduates. It ties in with our new international strategy to further develop our strategic partnerships around the globe.”
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Notes for editors
About the University of Stirling
Founded by Royal Charter in 1967, the University of Stirling was the first genuinely new university in Scotland for over 400 years. Stirling is one of the UK’s leading research universities in the fields of health and wellbeing, the environment and people, culture and society, enterprise and the economy, and sport. www.stir.ac.uk
For more information, contact: Patricia Hess on 01786 466 687 or at mediarelations@stir.ac.uk
About Santander Universities
Through its Santander Universities Global Division, Santander has collaborated with universities since 1996 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 over 1,010 academic institutions from America, Asia and Europe.
‘Santander Universities’ began its activity 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. www.santander.co.uk/universities
For more information please contact Carlos Leira, Marketing and Communications, Santander Universities UK, carlos.leira@santander.co.uk
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Contact: Patricia Hess
Phone: 01786 466 687
Email: mediarelations@stir.ac.uk
Website: http://www.stir.ac.uk
