Press Release
11 Apr 2008 - Cranfield University launches partnership with 'Santander Universities'
Cranfield University and Abbey National plc, Banco Santander’s UK subsidiary, have signed an agreement that will set up ‘Santander Abbey’ Scholarships for MBA students at Cranfield School of Management and enable the University to develop a variety of projects within the ‘Santander Universities’ scheme.
Through its Santander Universities Global Division, Banco Santander has channelled, since 1996, almost half a billion euros into academia through co-operative agreements with 625 universities in Spain, Latin America, Portugal, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Under the partnership, initially for a period of three years, three MBA scholarships will be awarded towards the tuition fees of the one-year full-time MBA programme. Candidates must be from the 11 Iberoamerican countries in Santander’s network which includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. In addition, Cranfield students and staff will benefit from funding for management research and collaboration initiatives to be developed in those countries.
The agreement also includes the support of language programmes for students and the sponsorship of international projects.
Professor Sir John O’Reilly, Cranfield’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted with the opportunities offered through this innovative partnership with Banco Santander. We recognise the importance of providing financial support for international students and developing global research links.
“Cranfield has students and collaborative partnerships all over the world and Santander will help us extend that network of students, staff and research.”
Luis Juste, Santander Universities Director in the UK, said: “Cranfield University is renowned worldwide for leading the way in applied postgraduate education. Its management school’s reputation is founded on their ability to create, integrate and disseminate new management thinking. That’s why, at Abbey, we welcome it as an ideal new member of the ‘Santander Universities’ network. Our long-term partnership aims to promote international collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and to enhance the University’s excellent work and thus contribute to the development and prosperity of our society."
The formal agreement was signed on 10 April by Professor Sir John O’Reilly, Cranfield’s Vice-Chancellor and Mr Luis Juste, ‘Santander Universities’ Director in the UK. Photographs of the signing ceremony are available on request.
There is no final date for submission of applications for the full-time MBA which starts on 29 September 2008. However, it is recommended that applications are submitted by the end of May 2008. More information is available at www.cranfieldMBA.info.
ENDS
ENDS
Further information
Cranfield Universityis a wholly postgraduate institution with a worldwide reputation for excellence and expertise in aerospace, automotive, defence, engineering, environment and water, health, management and manufacturing. The University is made up of the following Schools: Cranfield Health, School of Management, School of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering, and The Defence College of Management and Technology at Shrivenham. For more information visit www.cranfield.ac.uk
Cranfield School of Management is a world-class university business school, renowned for its strong links with industry and business. It is committed to providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including postgraduate degree programmes, management development, research and consultancy. Its website is at www.cranfield.ac.uk/som
‘Santander Universities’:
‘Santander Universities’ Global Division is the channel through which Banco Santander supports the higher education sector in Europe and the Americas in such areas as teaching and research, international cooperation, knowledge and technology transfer, entrepreneurial initiatives, student mobility and innovation.
Since its creation in 1996, ‘Santander Universities’ has been the keystone of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy. Co-operation agreements have been signed with universities in Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela, Portugal, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Currently 625 universities are part of the ever-expanding network and almost half a billion euros have been distributed.
‘Santander Universities’ was introduced in the UK in 2007 through Abbey National plc and the bank is already collaborating with eighteen universities in the UK, with similar agreements – focused in mobility and international exchange - as the one signed with Cranfield University.
‘Santander Universities’ initiatives include:
- the granting of over 12,000 scholarships a year to promote study, research and initial professional work experience and bursaries to facilitate student and staff mobility between universities in the network
- aid to 2,500 research groups
- the issue of 3.7 million university smart cards in 173 universities, with a high level of functional and financial features for teachers and students
- support for two major global projects: the ‘Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library’ (www.cervantesvirtual.com), the largest of its kind for Hispanic works; and Universia (www.universia.net), the biggest university co-operation network in the world, that includes 1,056 universities.
For Banco Santander, investing in education is the most powerful means of promoting the development and prosperity of society.
For further information please contact: Lisa Borges or Emily Orton, Cranfield University, tel: +44 (0) 1234 752987 / +44 (0) 1234 754348
Press Office – Marketing Services
Building 45
Cranfield University
Cranfield
Bedfordshire MK43 0AL
Tel: +44 (0) 1234 754999
Fax: +44 (0) 1234 754990
Email: pressoffice@cranfield.ac.uk
Website: www.cranfield.ac.uk
Press release number: PR - 037-08-BDO
