MERCURY Study Visit to Santander Bank, 10-11 November 2009, Madrid, Spain

On 10-11 November 09, the project partner "Santander Universities Global Division" in Moscow, in close cooperation with the project coordinator, organised a Study Visit to the Santander headquarter in Madrid.

On 10 November 09, the project partners were welcomed in the Santander Group Financial City by Mr. Salvador Medina, Director of Innovations. He presented the Santander Universities Global Division and its long-standing activities regarding the support of and cooperation with Universities worldwide. As for the CIS countries, Santander started its activity in this region by opening an office in Moscow. Furthermore, the Santander Universities Global Division signed cooperation agreements with different Russian Universities.

Mrs. Pepa Mancho from the Santander Smart Card Area presented the Santander University Smart Card which is a Management tool for universities, their students and personnel. She informed the partners on how the Santander Universities Global Division supports and provides Smart Card Services at different partner universities.

Furthermore, the International Association of Science Parks was presented by its Director General, Mr. Luis Sanz. Participants were informed about the Association as one of the main players in this area worldwide. After fruitful discussions, both sides, Mr. Sanz as well as the partners from Eastern Europe showed great interest in developing contacts with each other.

On the meeting's second day, the project partners visited the University of Alcala, which has a long time cooperation with the Santander Bank. Mr. Jose Antonio Gutierrez de Mesa, Director of Innovation Programmes, gave braod information about innovation activities and technology transfer at the University and presented the Techno Park (TecnoAlcala). A presentation about the participation of the University in National and European Research and Development programmes was given by Mrs. Teresa Varela Jeraldo, Director of the RD Projects. She emphasized the areas of cooperation in R&D which are interesting for all involved parties. Mrs. Sara Helena Otal Franco, Director of the Projects with Universities in the Russian Federation, showed examples and informed the partners about the cooperation with Russian Universities, which is also supported by the Santander Bank. After the meeting, a University tour on the Campus in the centre of the city was organized.

The highly informative study visit was rounded up by a sightseeing tour around Madrid.

On 12 November 09, the project partners left for Alicante for the second part of this Study Visit.

 

>> Download programme in English (*.pdf)
>> View list of presentations
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