Santander renews partnership with Cardiff University
22 June 2017
Cardiff University and Santander have announced a new three-year agreement that will provide further support for a variety of activities including an internship scheme which improves the employability of students in the region and helps local businesses access young talent.
Since 2008, this partnership has allowed students to benefit from these funded internships, as well as support entrepreneurship projects and provision of global opportunities and scholarships. Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan signed the new agreement on 1 June at a Cardiff University-hosted event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Santander Universities UK.
Speaking at the event, Professor Riordan said: “Our partnership with Santander is a great example of how two very different institutions can work together and run some excellent joint programmes that help both our students and also support our local community...”
“For the past 10 years, Santander’s support of Cardiff University has benefited more than 1,000 of our students and has helped to raise over £1.2 m of funding. On behalf of all at Cardiff University, we offer our warm thanks to Santander Universities.”
Santander’s support has also ensured the continued success of Cardiff University’s paid summer research placement scheme, the Cardiff University Research Opportunities Programme (CUROP), and the competitive exploits of Cardiff Racing, the University’s entry in the Formula Student programme.
In addition to the Vice-Chancellor, speakers at the event included Valentina Sepulveda (a current Cardiff University student), Dr Ryan Marks (a Cardiff alum and Research Associate, Structural Performance Group) and Valerie Livingston (Director, newsdirect wales).
Student futures and employability
Amongst the national and local representatives of Santander present was Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK.
After signing the contract with the Vice-Chancellor, he met with some of the many members of the Cardiff University community who have benefited from the programme’s support; amongst them were students who will continue to do so under a renewed focus on student futures and employability.
Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK said: “Santander is committed to supporting higher education as well as local communities across the UK. It’s been great to meet students and staff, and to see first-hand the real impact of our joint programmes...”
“I’m delighted to be renewing our partnership agreement with Cardiff University which will provide further support for a variety of activities including an internship scheme which is helping to improve the employability of young people in the region as well as helping local businesses access young talent.”
Though Cardiff University was the first Welsh institution to partner with Santander, the Bank now has established partnerships with 82 UK Santander Universities and over 1,200 Santander Universities globally.
