RWTH Aachen Teams Up with Santander to Support Social Entrepreneurs
RWTH and Santander Consumer Bank AG have been collaborating since 2019, with the Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) launching in 2020 as part of this partnership. The program supports student projects that have a focus on social innovation and social entrepreneurship. After a successful first phase, RWTH and Santander are extending the program for another three years. RWTH Rector Professor Ulrich Rüdiger and Santander board member Fernando Silva signed the extension agreement at the Collective Incubator.
Heike LachmannRWTH Rector Ulrich Rüdiger (left) and Santander board member Fernando Silva at the signing ceremony for the extension of the Social Management Program funding agreement.
“RWTH relies on strong networks to support the development of student and research initiatives. This partnership with a reliable partner creates the necessary conditions for targeted support and long-term success,” said Ulrich Rüdiger. “Continuing our cooperation with RWTH demonstrates how important it is for Santander to encourage young people to bring their creative ideas to the world. We look forward to continuing our work together to support innovative projects that deliver real social benefits,” added Fernando Silva.
As part of the SEP, Santander will support various student projects in the future. These projects, focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship, are developed within the Collective Incubator environment and aim to apply and simplify university technologies for charitable purposes.
The shared vision of Santander and RWTH is to nurture talent and simplify technologies to develop sustainable social startups. “Creating something meaningful from your own knowledge for the benefit of society deserves the highest recognition. Our students are distinguished by their extraordinary commitment and desire to make a positive impact in the world. Santander supports us in this mission through the SEP,” emphasized Rüdiger.
Santander is strongly committed to social responsibility and promoting higher education with an emphasis on education, employability, and entrepreneurship. In addition to the SEP, Santander will also support ten scholarships in the Deutschlandstipendium program at RWTH in the upcoming funding period.