On December 8, the UK Director of Santander Universities, Matt Huttnell visited the University of Roehampton to mark the launch of a new three-year partnership agreement and to meet students and graduates who have benefited from this Santander funding. The new agreement takes the total Santander Universities donations to Roehampton beyond the £1 million milestone since partnering in 2012.
Santander Universities funding enables Roehampton students and new graduates to benefit from grants awarded through their Employment, Education and Entrepreneurship programme. Initiatives over the last decade include mentoring, internships, scholarships, grants for PhD students and Roehampton’s entrepreneurship scheme, Launchpad.
Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Roehampton, said "We are proud to have partnered with Santander Universities for more than a decade. In that time, with their generous support, we have been able to guide more than 400 students and new graduates onto the next stage of their career journey through developing entrepreneurship skills, gaining valuable work experience and accessing funding to support them through their studies".
The new three-year Santander funding agreement is effective as of this academic year and will support students to access educational opportunities and skills, take internships with local businesses, or to develop their business idea.
The Santander funding for 2022/23 supported 51 Roehampton students and recent graduates, including: 10 Brighter Futures Grants of £1000 each, 11 entrepreneurship awards for Roehampton’s Launchpad competition and 30 funded internships at local businesses.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jean- Noël Ezingeard and Matt Huttnell celebrated the new 3-year agreement at the launch event alongside students and Roehampton alumni who have benefited from Santander Universities’ funding.
Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK, said: “At Santander Universities we believe education is today’s solution to a better tomorrow. We’re proud to continue our partnership with Roehampton University and provide even more opportunities for students, staff and the local community to develop skills to build a brighter future and achieve their future potential.”