At Banco Santander we are firmly committed to progress and inclusive sustainable growth, and we have had a long-standing commitment to higher education over the last 27 years, which sets us apart from the world's other financial institutions.

Our unique and pioneering commitment to supporting education, employability and entrepreneurship involves contributing to the progress of individuals and companies by helping them to improve employability and career prospects. Over the years, we have received multiple awards from international institutions such as the Varkey Foundation and the Global Compact Network Spain.

In 2023 we have been recognised as one of the companies that has made the biggest contribution to changing the world for the better, according to the magazine Fortune ‘Change the World’ 2023, which publishes an annual list of 50 companies helping to solve some of the biggest social challenges. We are the first bank in the ranking and we made the list thanks to our support for education, employability and entrepreneurship.

We help adults prosper through hundreds of free scholarships and training programs. We do so not only during their university years but also at later stages, as lifelong learning is fundamental amid of a job market in constant change. We also support companies to create opportunities, consolidate and grow with training and resources.

Universia International Rectors´ Summit

Access to all the information about the five Universia summits

+ 27 years

supporting education, employability and entrepreneurship

+ 2.2 billion

euros invested in 27 years

+ 1 million

people and companies helped in 27 years

+ 1.300 universities,

institutions and organisations from 25 countries

+ 27 years

supporting education, employability and entrepreneurship

+ 2.2 billion

euros invested in 27 years

+ 1 million

people and companies helped in 27 years

+ 1.300 universities,

institutions and organisations from 25 countries

In 2022 alone we invested 100 million euroland supported more than 266,000 people and companies. In addition, we plan to invest a further 400 million euro between 2023 and 2026.

“A more sustainable economy requires a holistic approach to education where employability must be a priority both for universities and companies. It is essential to foster the appropriate skills from university and throughout working life with a dynamic approach”.

Ana Botín, Banco Santander executive chair

“Education is the bedrock of a more innovative and competitive society and the fundamental driver of progress and a more sustainable economy. At Santander Universities, we're certain our future must continue to evolve to encourage lifelong learning as a crux for greater employability”.

Javier Roglá, global head of Santander Universities

At the bank we provide support for education, employability and entrepreneurship through three platforms, both global and open:

  • Santander Open Academy, which helps people improve their employability through lifelong learning, offering scholarships and free vocational skills training for all ages.
  • Santander X, which offers opportunities for business owners and helps small enterprises grow and create opportunities for their development.
  • Universia, which helps people join the job market by connecting universities, businesses and junior talent. 

Santander Open Academy

Santander Open Academy, a non-profit initiative of the bank, is the open global platform for learning and professional development that offers anyone around the world of any age access training to develop their professional skills and improve their employability. To access you do not need to be a customer of the bank or have a university degree, just to be registered on the platform.

As an established learning space that includes free courses and content and scholarships from universities and international institutions around the world, which are updated according to the skills most demanded by the job market. With our programs, you will receive credentials and certificates to achieve your goals.

The universities and institutions with which we collaborate also upload their own programs, aimed at their communities to get ahead in their careers. On our global platform, we put at your disposal everything you need to continue growing and to access new opportunities.

Through Santander X, we help business owners and small enterprises grow and create opportunities. Helps entrepreneurs grow and create a positive impact on society by increasing employability, championing innovation and accelerating economic growth.

Offers high-quality training and resources that allow entrepreneurs and companies to achieve their goals by growing and developing their businesses, recognising the most outstanding ventures in each country, supporting entrepreneurs who are creating solutions to pressing and critical problems in society, and global community, and also facilitates connections with mentors, investors, customers, entrepreneurs and experts on megatrends.

We have many initiatives, ranging from the conversion of ideas into projects to the global expansion of sustainable and innovative companies.

 

  • Santander X Launch, preparing projects to go to market.
  • Santander X Local and Global Awards, recognition of the most innovative and groundbreaking projects in each country.
  • Santander X Global Challenges to find the most innovative and scalable solutions to address problems relevant to society.
  •  Santander X 100, prime community to support the most promising startups and scaleups of Santander X.

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