Under the slogan “University and Society”, the 5th Universia International Rectors' Summit was held in Valencia (Spain) on 8, 9 and 10 May 2023 to discuss the way that, if universities advance, society progresses on the role of Universities as a driving force for a more sustainable social and economic development.

With nearly 700 academic leaders from 14 countries, representing more than 14 million students, this summit was attended by political personalities, companies and institutions involved in the future of education on a global level.

It is one of the biggest rectors' summits in the world, and all of them were called upon to lead an un precedented discussion in order to provide solutions about how universities can contribute to taking on a number of the challenges that humanity faces, in pursuit of a fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable society.

The summit's conclusions were set out in the Valencia Declaration, which identified a number of areas of action where universities can develop value proposals to contribute to more sustainable social and economic progress in society through education, research and innovation.

Nearly
700 rectors

14 countries

14 millions

students represented

3 academic topics

9 panels

40 speakers

Nearly
700 rectors

14 countries

14 millions

students represented

3 academic topics

9 panels

40 speakers

Academic topics

There were three academic themes in the Rector´s Summit: Supporting Lifelong Learning, Boosting Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Promoting Networks and Interconnectivity.

In an increasingly competitive and changing global world, universities have a decisive role to play in helping people update their professional skills throughout their lives and in making individuals more employable. Universities are also key as drivers of change in promoting initiatives for innovation through the creation of new companies. In order to take on these social challenges with greater success, collaboration between universities, governments, industry and society as a whole is essential.





In addition...

Santander Young Leaders for Education

Thanks to the Santander Skills | Young Leaders for Education program, and in collaboration with the University of Valencia, 60 scholarship recipients enjoyed a five-day stay in the city of Valencia (Spain) in order to participate in the 5th Universia International Rectors' Summit.

From May 8 to 10, 2023, they collaborated in the social and academic agenda of the Summit and presented their own vision and ideas in this regard.

Santander X Global Award 2023

Banco Santander, together with Oxentia Foundation, have launched a new edition of the Santander X Global Award in 2023, the university entrepreneurship award for the best university solutions of Santander X.

The best startups from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, United Kingdom and Uruguay had the opportunity to compete in the global pitch day in Valencia, and be able to win cash prizes, access to Santander X 100 and additional benefits to continue advancing their projects.



#SantanderUniversia2023

    


All the summits

Encuentro Internacional de Rectores Universia 2018

2023 | Valencia · Spain

Held in Valencia, Spain, on 8, 9 and 10 May, the 5th International Rectors Summit brought together nearly 700 university leaders from 14 countries, representing 14 million students, together with personalities from politics, business and beneficiaries of the Santander Scholarship and Santander X programmes.

Encuentro Internacional de Rectores Universia 2018

2018 | Salamanca · Spain

The 4th Universia International Rectors' Summit took place in the city of Salamanca (Spain) on 21 and 22 May 2018. More than 700 university leaders from 26 countries participated at the event. The gathering provided the opportunity to reflect on the main challenges facing universities, in relation to the digital world, university research and the contribution of universities to social and territorial development.

Encuentro Internacional de Rectores Universia 2014

2014 | Río de Janeiro · Brazil

The 3rd Universia International Rectors' Summit saw the participation of more than 1,100 rectors from 33 countries and took place in Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) on 28 and 29 July 2014.

The rectors discussed ten critical issues for transforming the university of the 21st century. In particular, the future of universities, their ability to respond to the needs and the role of Brazil in an international context were analysed.

2010 | Guadalajara · Mexico

The city of Guadalajara (Mexico) was the location chosen for the 2nd Universia International Rectors' Summit, on 31 May and 1 June. More than 1,000 university rectors from different countries took part.

These academic leaders discussed the social commitment of universities in Ibero-America and the main challenges they face in fulfilling their missions.

2005 | Sevilla · Spain

The 1st Universia International Rectors' Summit made Seville (Spain) into the world capital of higher education during 19 and 20 May.  

The main themes of the sessions were: the construction of a new Ibero-American university model, the creation of a common Ibero-American space in a globalised world, the university as a factor for economic and social development and the university-company relationship for promoting innovation.