Published on 26 April 2023
The University of Sunderland and Santander Universities UK have signed an agreement to continue their long-running partnership, which has seen the international bank support hundreds of Sunderland students, with over £250,000 spent on supporting our students over the last five years.
The University's Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Sir David Bell, joined Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK, and Santander UK Relationship Manager Scott Burnett to celebrate our relationship. They were joined by students, academics and departments who have benefited from the relationship.
Sir David said: “We were very pleased to welcome back to the University of Sunderland Matt Hutnell and Scott Burnett from Santander Universities. It was our chance to thank them for £250,000 worth of support over the past few years and sign-up for another three years with the programme.
“Our newly signed funding agreement supports four strands of activity including entrepreneurship, through our newly formed Centre for Graduate Prospects, and employability, through the Santander Changemaker programme.
“Additionally, two Sunderland first year students have been awarded £30,000 over the next three years as part of Santander’s Scholars Programme. Next month will also see the launch of the Brighter Futures Grants, with ten £1,000 awards to support students’ learning at the University.
“We are very grateful to Santander Universities continued support for our students and the life-changing mission of the University of Sunderland.”
The Vice-Chancellor was joined by BA (Hons) Illustration and Design graduate Lauren Young, who received the Santander Seed Fund (£1,000) Santander Founder Internship grant (£3,000) and Santander Covid Assistance (£1,500) scholarship; second year Medical student Paul Downey who received £1,000 of support via the Santander Educational Scholarship; and Tinashe Kavhumbura, Business and Financial Management student, who received the Santander Employability Fund (£1,000).
Tinashe Kavhumbura used the funding to launch his unisex streetwear brand, TXLVII.
He said: “Since applying for and receiving the Santander seed fund, I have managed to start trading as a streetwear brand. It enabled me to test out the TXLVII business model debt free and I am grateful for that. The business is gearing to do a full launch and will soon be looking at getting it registered.”
Also in attendance was Dr Helen Driscoll, Academic Director for Educational Partnerships at the University, who received the Women in Leadership scholarship.
Dr Driscoll was among 124 women worldwide who took part in the Women in Leadership programme out of 13,000 applications. She participated in the Santander Emerging Leaders – LSE programme, a scholarship that trains top negotiation skills as part of a dynamic, hands-on programme.
Helen explained how the scholarship is benefitting her role and the wider University: “The programme has given me a very rigorous and intensive training in key leadership skills, strategies and approaches. This has been both theoretical and practical, with the use of three live skills sessions where I had to practice my skills in unseen scenarios with other female leaders taking the course from across the world.
“I really enjoyed the challenge and intensity, and the live sessions were brilliant. The programme has given me insights and a skillset that will benefit me throughout my career – and I believe will be invaluable for effectively leading projects at Sunderland.”
Soon after taking part in the scholarship Dr Driscoll, then Principal Lecturer and Team Leader for Psychology, was appointed to the role of Academic Director for Educational Partnerships, supporting the delivery of the University’s strategic ambitions for learning and teaching through excellent student experience and outcomes for our students studying in partner institutions, including thousands of students studying with our transnational partners across the globe.
Under a new agreement Santander is offering £50,000 worth of support packages annually to the University of Sunderland.