Coventry University students and staff will benefit from a new three-year partnership with Santander which will provide financial support for international and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The agreement will include the launch of scholarships to help students from a range of backgrounds study or carry out research overseas.
It will also provide financial awards to students who impress with their business ideas during ‘Dragon’s Den’-style pitching events.
In addition, the new partnership will also support a series of round table discussions and workshops giving students the chance to meet and learn from successful entrepreneurs and business experts, as well as funding ‘incubator spaces’ where the most promising entrepreneurial teams can develop their business plans.
Coventry is the latest institution to sign up to the Santander Universities network, with more than 1,200 universities in 20 countries already involved.
Santander Universities was launched by Santander in 1997 with the primary aim for universities to share goals of internationalisation, transfer of knowledge and fostering of entrepreneurial skills.
This new agreement marks the 85th partnership for Santander Universities in the UK.
Coventry University Vice-Chancellor John Latham said:
“We are delighted to be joining the Santander Universities network. This fantastic partnership will encourage and support more of our students to pursue their business ideas and increase their entrepreneurial spirit, as well as giving others access to valuable international study and research experiences.
“We look forward to working with Santander and thank them for their commitment to the university which will make a real difference to our students over the next few years.”
Matt Hutnell, Director, Santander Universities UK, said:
“We are committed to working with higher education institutions and are delighted to welcome Coventry University to the Santander Universities network. We look forward to working with students and staff at Coventry University on this new partnership.”