Governor Paterson Announces Agreement Between Banco Santander and SUNY to Promote International Education, Research and Dual Diploma Program

Largest Commercial Bank in Europe to Financially Support Four SUNY Initiatives in Three-Year Agreement

Governor David A. Paterson announced that Banco Santander S.A., the largest commercial bank in Europe, today signed an agreement to form a partnership with State University of New York (SUNY) that will further international education and research. The bank will support SUNY over the next three years to develop four initiatives: teacher education, dual diploma programs, student exchange and research.

Banco Santander Chairman Emilio Botín met with the SUNY Vice-Chancellor and Officer in Charge John J. O’Connor to sign the three-year agreement of cooperation.

“SUNY has long been at the forefront of international educational experiences for its students,” said Governor Paterson. “Today’s exciting agreement is another example of that and will greatly benefit students throughout New York State as well as students in Spain, Mexico and Brazil. I want to thank Banco Santander for their generous investment in our education system. This is only the beginning of what I hope will be a long and mutually beneficial relationship for many years to come.”

Banco Santander Chairman Emilio Botín said: “The signing of this agreement represents an extraordinary example of international cooperation. Thanks to this agreement, promoted by SUNY, more than 200 universities and institutions throughout the world will have the opportunity to benefit from the programs that we will be launching. Twelve years ago, Banco Santander established an alliance with the academic world, born out of the belief that universities form the basis for our countries’ intellectual and social development and their capabilities for innovation and competitiveness. Our organization and structure also reflect our commitment: Santander’s Universities Global Division coordinates our bank’s interaction with universities and their alumni worldwide. Every year, in cooperation with the universities, we launch 3,000 academic projects.”

Through its Santander Universities Global Division, Banco Santander has channeled 600 million Euros since 1996 into academia through co-operative agreements with 709 universities in the Americas, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, China and Russia. The agreement with SUNY is Banco Santader’s first investment in a public college or university.

The SUNY-Santander S.A. agreement will support the development of the following four projects:

Language Teacher Education Partnerships with Spain and Mexico: SUNY students who plan to teach Spanish in primary and secondary schools will engage in one-year exchange programs with institutions belonging to the Council of Rectors of Spanish Universities;
Dual Diploma Pilot Program in Economics with SUNY New Paltz and Universidad Carlos III (UC3M): The bachelor’s program will consist of roughly two years at each university. In year 5 of the program, graduates will be eligible to conduct one-year paid internships at Banco Santander affiliates in the United States as well as in Spain. This program will serve as a pilot for other similar programs in various disciplines with UC3M and with other Spanish institutions of higher education and additional SUNY campuses;
Student Exchange Programs with Brazil: Banco Santander will provide funds for scholarships for 10 SUNY students to study abroad at partner universities in Brazil for one semester. Scholarships will also be provided to Brazilian Universities for 10 Brazilian students to come to SUNY for one semester exchange programs.
Research on Mexican Migration and Health: This project, which is co-funded by the Mexican Ministry of Health, FunSalud and the Mexican Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), is implemented by a consortium of universities in the United States and provides practical analysis of public health issues affecting the Mexican migrant community in the United States. SUNY’s annual participation allows SUNY researchers to develop knowledge of the health issues affecting this large, disproportionately poor population, which is underserved and largely unstudied. The goal is to provide more information for the New York policy arena.

Additional information on each initiative can be found by following this link.

SUNY Vice Chancellor and Officer in Charge John J. O’Conner said: “Chairman Botín’s vision and strategic thinking are well reflected in Banco Santander’s focus on international higher education as a way of expanding its corporate social responsibility program. Thanks to the leadership and personal participation of Chairman Botín, we can further our mutual goals of providing students and faculty with new educational, cultural, and research opportunities in today’s global knowledge-based economy. SUNY is very grateful for the generous support of Banco Santander and I want to thank its Chairman, Mr. Emilio Botín for making this agreement possible.”

SUNY Associate Vice Chancellor Robert Gosende said: “SUNY’s expertise in innovative international programs, Banco Santander’s long and significant support of international higher education, combined with a shared geographic footprint formed the basis of this extraordinary partnership. We are thrilled with the generous support of the Bank and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 440,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.