• Responsible Banking Report | 2020
Higher

education support

Higher Education plays a fundamental role in the knowledge society as it helps guide us toward an innovative society and contribute to economic progress and social welfare. To guarantee a brighter future for all, we invest in higher education through a number of support programs that promote scientific and technological advances.



Our major areas of action focus on providing academic support to college students, helping them develop digital skills that will facilitate their insertion into the labor market and improve their employability.

19. Given the circumstances stemming from the pandemic, we were presented with the opportunity to offer a greater number of digital scholarships.





Santander Universities


We focus our efforts on ensuring that more young people in Mexico have access to the best possible education and the tools they need. Through Santander Universities, we forge alliances with the most important institutions of higher education in the country to help ensure proper training for college students throughout the country.

Digital Scholarships

As a result of the public health crisis, we transformed the academic mobility scholarships we offer into digital scholarships. These application processes focused 100% on online certifications offered by prestigious institutions and universities. We also offered web development and digital economy training programs. These were divided into three strategic areas.

Entrepreneurship

We help support the ideas of university students looking for personal and professional development and to have a positive impact on society. We have a range of programs that focus on innovation, internationalization, collaboration and academic research.

  • Santander TrepCamp Scholarships

    TBehe face-to-face course was replaced with an online training course offered in conjunction with experts in entrepreneurship from Silicon Valley. Participants focused on creating a business model based on a high-impact solution to a global problem before developing their pitch. During this process, they were supported by international instructors and mentors.

  • Assessment Center X

    An assessment comprising 42 real-life scenarios, which participants need to resolve using their business know- how. After completing the evaluation, participants receive a report containing information about their profile and areas of opportunity.

  • Santander Advanced Entrepreneurship Scholarship

    A four-week course focusing on the study of leading entrepreneurship methodologies, allowing students to learn about the process of creating a startup and raising capital. The end of the course centered around learning about emerging technologies and tools to help them boost their skills as high- impact entrepreneurs.

  • Santander ANUT Scholarships

    A program focusing on the development of soft and entrepreneurial skills for the university community pertaining to the National Association of Technological Universities (ANUT). These include:

    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation I EST
    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation I PDA
    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation II EST
    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation II PDA
    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation III EST
    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation III PDA
    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation IV
    • •Santander ANUT Scholarship Generation VV
  • Santander Scientific Innovation and Technology (SICyT) Scholarships and Santander SICyT Jalisco 1.2 Scholarships

    A training program focusing on soft and entrepreneurial skills for the university and entrepreneur community in the state of Jalisco.

  • 100 Projects without Fear

    An intensive virtual workshop for entrepreneurs who have a project in mind, but who, out of fear, have not yet made it a reality. The program focuses on changing paradigms and new concepts to help make their projects become a reality.

  • INC Monterrey

    The largest entrepreneurship festival in Latin America, including international speakers, workshops and networking among entrepreneurs.



  • MOOC “From Idea to Company”

    A 30-hour course that focuses on the development of competencies and skills in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, in addition to learning about and applying leading methodologies and tools to develop a successful business plan. This course was offered in conjunction with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

  • Entrepreneur X Digital Diploma

    The Santander X digital library, Banco Santander’s entrepreneurship platform, which offers educational material regarding leading entrepreneurship methodologies, including: Design Thinking, Business Model Generation, Lean Startup, Agile Methodology and Startup Financing.

  • Agua x Nosotros Challenge.
    Prototype, Proven and Market- Ready Ideas Category

    We search for talent whose ideas and proposals for comprehensive systems, products or services will help us to tackle problems stemming from the availability, reuse and utilization of water in areas of water stress.

  • Comeback Stories by Santander

    An online event coordinated with Fuckup Nights, in which three successful entrepreneurs share their stories of failure, helping promote the idea that getting things wrong is one of the best ways to learn and create a mentality based on innovation and resilience.

  • The Two Sides of the Coin with Moris Dieck

    An event coordinated by Santander Universities in which, in addition to focusing on the negative aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moris Dieck also shared the other side of the coin – a side in which we can take something positive away from this crisis to better use our talents and our finances in order to create opportunities in our favor.

  • Santander X Global Award

    Santander X Global Award

    n 2020, Santander X, our global entrepreneurship platform, held an in international competition to promote university entrepreneurs. Young people from five countries took part: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain and Mexico. 100 projects were presented, and 11 finalists were chosen, four of whom were from Mexico. The projects were divided into two categories: Startup and Scaleup.

Study

We support university students, providing them access to a range of scholarships that allow them to continue their studies, acquire new skills, and be better prepared for their future as professionals.

  • Santander Slang Scholarships

    An online professional English study program lasting for six months and offering beneficiaries access to 75 different English courses focusing on their areas of expertise. These courses include English for Industrial Engineering, English for Administrators, English for Politics and English for Agriculture, among others.

  • FUNED Santander Leaders in Development Scholarship

    A one-year academic guidance, training and preparation program in areas such as Graduate Records Examinations (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), English fluency and other indispensable requirements for young people to be accepted at one of the world’s top 100 universities to take part in a graduate program.

  • Santander TECH Scholarships

    A talent training course in digital transformation, including Data Science, Digital Marketing and Project Management, in which top participates can access specialist training and certification.

  • Santander UIN Scholarship and
    Santander TecNM/TecNM II Scholarships

    A program that promotes the acquisition of soft skills among the Universidad Insurgentes and the Tecnológico Nacional de México community through a course entitled Key Skills and Competencies for the Professional World, which lasts for 8 hours and is offered in conjunction with the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education (ANUIES) through Fundación Educación Superior Empresa (FESE).

  • Santander STEM Women Scholarships

    STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) training courses for women entrepreneurs through a 40-hour online program created by Universidad Austral, offering its STEM students tools to help create an innovative idea that could be turned into a successful company.




  • Santander ECO Scholarships

    Advanced training courses in environmental conservation. These 40-hour courses are offered through Coursera and include a certification from the World Bank.

  • Santander Eres Tú Scholarships

    A training course focusing on professional skills development through online training at the University of California and English-language training through Slang. This scholarship is open exclusively to the daughters and sons of the Bank’s internal employees.

  • Santander Legacy Scholarships

    A program to promote and consolidate the development of Mexican students in national and international arts and culture.

  • Santander UCSJ Research Scholarships

    A grant of up to 25% that is applicable directly for tuition fees for the 2021 academic year, during which participants will undertake a research project.

  • Santander UACAM FESE Scholarships

    A training course focusing on the development of soft and digital skills among the undergraduate student community at the Autonomous University of Campeche.

Employment

Programs aimed at university students to help them develop the skills, knowledge and competencies required to facilitate their insertion in the labor market and improve their employability.

  • Santander OUI IGLU Scholarships

    A university management and leadership training program offered in conjunction with the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (OUI) to promote key management skills among university leaders through analysis and reflection on the current situation of institutions of higher education.

  • Santander Professional Skills – Digital Training Scholarships

    A program focusing on the development of professional and soft skills through a partnership with Coursera, a leading online education platform. Through this program, participants can become certified by international universities that are ranked among the top 100 in the world.

  • Be Santander Technology Skills – Digital Training Scholarships

    The goal of this program is to consolidate the technology skills of Mexican university students and help them find their place on the job market. Through this program, students become professionally certified in Information Technology Support by Google.

  • Santander - BEDU - Disruptive Innovation
    Scholarships: 3 Ways to Boost Your Career

    This program focuses on supporting information technology training in areas such as Web Development, Data Science and UX/UI, helping young people in Mexico acquire the skills they need to tackle the new challenges posed by the digital economy.

  • Santander - BEDU - Data Science Scholarships

    This program focuses on supporting Data Science training, helping young people in Mexico acquire the skills they need to tackle the new challenges posed by the digital economy.

  • Santander CASE Scholarships

    A scholarship offered in conjunction with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), offering training in fundraising techniques and procedures at institutions of higher education.

  • Scholarships for Training in Key Skills
    and Competencies for the Professional World

    A basic eight-hour course that focuses on the development of fundamental soft skills for insertion into the job market and comprises three modules: Communication, Teamwork and Leadership. It is offered in conjunction with ANUIES through Fundación Educación Superior Empresa (FESE).

  • Digital Skills Training Scholarships

    A basic eight-hour course that focuses on the technological principles of the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, in addition to the changes this has caused in education and employment. It is offered in conjunction with ANUIES through Fundación Educación Superior Empresa (FESE).

Among others:

How to become a high-impact entrepreneur and not die trying?

In this event, organized by Work Café and Santander Universities, Fernando Sepúlveda talked about high- impact entrepreneurship and the challenges and paths that entrepreneurs have to follow to make their dreams come true.

The Transformation of Higher Education by Santander Universities and Work Café

At this event, organized by Work Café and Santander Universities, Arturo Cherbowski, Executive Director of Santander Universities, and Fernando León García, President of CETYS Universidad, talked about the challenges that higher education has faced and how these have helped it transform to survive in the future.

Women in Science by Santander Universities and Work Café

At this event, organized by Work Café and Santander Universities, Lorena Macías talked about the role women play in science, the challenges they face, and the opportunities that can be created in a competitive environment.


Santander Business Innovation Award (PSIE)

We are proud that the Santander Business Innovation Award celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2020. Through this university entrepreneurship award, we have experienced memorable moments alongside college students who have presented innovative projects that are of outstanding value for the growth of the country.

The competition is divided into two categories – Prototype and Idea – and in 2020 the winners for each category were chosen. There was an MXN $500,000 prize for the two best projects in the Prototype category, while in the Idea category there was a MXN $300,000 prize for first place, MXN $200,000 for second place, and MXN $100,000 for third place.

2020 Winners

The winners of the Idea and Prototype categories were:

Idea Category




The development of a cornea equivalent through tissue engineering and biotechnology techniques. This cornea equivalent can be implanted and perform the functions of a conventional cornea, helping satisfy demand for corneal transplants.

Winners of MXN $300,000 in seed capital.

Prototype Category




A medical device and method for the early detection of temperature anomalies related to the growth of cancerous tumors that combines thermal imaging with artificial intelligence to create an accurate and pain-free study.

Winners of MXN $500,000 in seed capital.


A marine bioreactor that optimizes CO2 absorption to mitigate the effects of the acidification of reefs, in addition to producing a biomaterial that can be used to make a range of sustainable products, creating a circular economy.

Winners of MXN $200,000 in seed capital.


Production of sustainable medical garments for healthcare professionals. The material used in these garments can withstand being washed up to 50 times, in addition to offering maximum resistance against virus and liquids and being flame-resistant. This product reduces the environmental impact of medical garments and drives savings for public and private health services in Mexico.

Winners of MXN $500,000 in seed capital.


A technology to capture carbon dioxide, which can then be transformed into ethanol, ethylene and sustainable chemicals. Polluting gases are transformed into energy and materials for consumer products.

Winners of MXN $100,000 in seed capital.

Higher Education Actions during the COVID-19 pandemic

No-one doubts that university students and academic staff play a fundamental role in driving development in Mexico. This is why, despite the difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have successfully remain the banking institution that most supports higher education.

Santander X Tomorrow Challenge

This global challenge focuses on solutions that help mitigate the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. The prize for this challenge was €20,000 to be used in the development of each winning project. The projects focused on re-skill, re-work, re-invent and re-launch. A total of 4,497 projects were submitted, 1,470 of which were from Mexico, positioning us as the country with the highest number of entries. Two of the winning projects were from Mexico: BEDU and Woke.

TecSalud

Santander Universities donated MXN $4 million to Fundación TecSalud to guarantee the development, research and application of the Convalescent Plasma protocol. This helped the foundation to drive advances in efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Association of Technological Universities (ANUT)

In conjunction with the National Association of Technological Universities (ANUT), Santander donated acetate sheets and PLA plastic filament to make 2,000 face shields for the public health sector, a goal that was achieved in less than 30 days.

100,000 scholarships were also offered via the Santander- ANUT Scholarship program to students, teachers and administrative staff from 120 ANUT-affiliated technological universities around Mexico to promote interpersonal and entrepreneurship skills.

Universidad Anáhuac Puebla

Santander signed an agreement with Universidad Anáhuac Puebla reaffirming the commitment of both institutions to society through two co-responsibility projects. At the Anáhuac COVID-19 Response Center, created thanks to Universidad Anáhuac Puebla’s experience in social projects, Santander Universities benefitted more than 8,000 healthcare professionals and 400 families living in poverty through the implementation of two projects: No Doctor Without Protection (Ningún médico sin protección) and the donation of food parcels.

FIMPES

The Federation of Private Mexican Institutions of Higher Education (FIMPES) and Santander defined a new roadmap for higher education through a forum entitled Digitalization of the Future of Higher Education, the goal of which was to reformulate joint strategies to benefit the Mexican education system and private universities in Mexico, in addition to defining the roadmap for the future after overcoming the COVID-19 crisis.

IAUP

Santander Universities and the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) presented the first survey of more than 700 presidents and directors from public and private institutions of higher education. The study reported global pressures on their financial and student attraction models, in addition to implying a potential for permanent changes to their educational models and international education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ponte la Verde COVID-19

This is a social project supported by more than 50 companies and civil associations that benefitted more than 5,800 young people from throughout Mexico who put forward project proposals covering a range of different categories – health, food and education - aimed at counteracting the effects of the pandemic. The projects selected were offered professional support and MXN $10 million in seed capital. First-place winners were also awarded Banco Santander online scholarships and certifications from prestigious international universities.

#YoMeQuedoEnCasa Scholarship Program

Santander Universities, in conjunction with Fundación IE from IE University, offered 20,000 scholarships to university students and lecturers through the #YoMeQuedoEnCasa program (#IAmStayingAtHome). The goal of this program was to help develop their digital, language and leadership skills to help them become better prepared, in both professional and educational terms, for the post-COVID-19 world. The ultimate goal is to facilitate their insertion in the job market.