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Fundación Universia is a private, not-for-profit foundation run by Universia, with support from Banco Santander through Santander Universities. It focuses on inter-university networks; diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity; and new responsible financing for access to education.
scholarships for university students with disabilities
people with disabilities hired by companies
people helped through the Plan Circular*
scholarships for university students with disabilities
people with disabilities hired by companies
people helped through the Plan Circular*
*Plan Circular is supported by the European Investment Fund and boosts the access to training in digital skill
Inter-university networks
Our purpose is to help create and develop networks between universities to drive change that will enhance education. In Spain, Portugal and Latin America, we focus on digital transformation at higher education institutions and entrepreneurship through our MetaRed IT and MetaRed X programmes.
MetaRed IT is a collaborative initiative that builds networks of information and communications technology (ICT) managers at public and private higher education institutes in Spain, Portugal and Latin America so they can share success stories and develop technology together.
It seeks to aid digital transformation through the collective effort and best practice of these 10 networks: Argentina, Brazil, Central America and the Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Portugal and Spain.
MetaRed X is the collaborative network at higher education institutes in Spain, Portugal and Latin America to build up their startup hubs, foster collaborative startup creation at universities, and share with them the tools and best practice so they can raise engagement with local, regional, national and international enterpreneurship ecosystems.
MetaRed X sees entrepreneurship as inclusive and cross-cutting. It draws inspiration from the European Entrepreneurship Competence Framework (EntreComp), which defines entrepreneurship as the capacity to act upon opportunities and ideas, to work with others, to manage dynamic careers and shape the future for the common good.
Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity
Fundación Universia promotes inclusive and quality education and access to skilled employment for people with disabilities at Santander and other companies committed to responsible and sustainable growth, cultural transformation through inclusion, and building a more active and fairer society.
We promote:
- Accessible physical and digital environments. We research, report on and raise awareness of accessibility and inclusion measures for education institutions and companies.
- Equal opportunity in education. We grant scholarships to create experiences that maximize the potential of people with disabilities.
- Employment and entrepreneurship of people with disabilities to harness their talent and leadership skills. Our programmes include internships, mentoring and coaching.
New responsible financing for access to education
As demand for technology experts spiked in the past year, more people have been looking to acquire digital skills.
In 2021, Fundación Universia launched the Plan Circular employability initiative, through which students learn skills in web development, mobile, big data, machine learning, blockchain, DevOps and cybersecurity.
It funds the cost of participants’ training, which they repay to Fundación Universia in small, interest-free instalments over 40 months once they are earning a salary.
Run as a bootcamp, Plan Circular is a continuous loop where all the money students pay back goes towards helping others. That way, it can constantly enable people to achieve their goals.
Plan Circular's model helps people who are unemployed, from low-income households or facing financial difficulties. The plan also promotes diversity and inclusion within professions in high demand.
Our strategic focus covers these UN Sustainable Development Goals: Quality education (SDG 4), Decent work and economic growth (SGD 8) and Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).