Three local universities have joined European bank Banco Santander to enhance its international programs.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Northeastern University and Tufts University signed agreements with Sovereign Bank, which is part of Banco Santander. The bank, with the support of Santander Universities Global Division, will provide financial support for different projects of the three universities. Santander Universities USA was introduced in the U.S. in 2008 through Sovereign Bank.
The agreements with Santander Universities USA will support MIT’s MISTI (MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives) program to Brazil. The program – which will promote the exchange of knowledge and mutual learning between MIT and Brazil – will be based on internships, seed funds for research collaborations, the development of courses on Brazil and the Portuguese language and an annual Brazil conference.
Northeastern’s Bachelor of Science in international business Brazil program (BSIB), which offers students the opportunity to train for an international career by living, studying and working abroad, will be expanded to Brazil.
Tuft’s Talloires Network, which is an international association of 164 institutions in 55 countries committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education, will also benefit from the partnership. Tufts and Innovations in Civic Participation serve as secretariat for the Talloires Network. Santander will also enhance the Talloires Network by connecting the Santander Universities community to the network’s mission and goals.
"The agreements we are signing are very important as many universities worldwide will benefit from them," said Banco Santander Chairman Emilio Botin. "MIT, Northeastern and Tufts all have a strong commitment to excellence, innovation, creative learning and research."
Through its Santander Universities Global Division, the financial institutions of Banco Santander have forged long-term partnerships through collaboration agreements in academic, technological and financial fields with more than 800 universities across four continents. Supporting over 3,500 teaching, research and technology projects, Santander Universities work to respond to the economic and financial needs of the universities.
