继Santander银行集团在莱斯特大学Precy Gee Building 一楼开了分行后，Santander银行决定赞助4万英镑给有潜质成为未来企业家的莱斯特大学学生，有兴趣的莱大学生可以提交proposal，如有好的创业计划本科生可以拿到创业基金5000英镑，硕士生可以拿到2万英镑。(PS：虽然对中国学生有点困难，不过在机会面前人人还是平等的)
University of Leicester working with Santander, through its Santander Universities Global Division, to give students the chance to develop their business ideas
Issued by University of Leicester Press Office on 28 April 2011
Students at the University of Leicester are being offered a unique opportunity to win cash awards to help develop their entrepreneurial ideas.
Santander’s “Awards for Entrepreneurship” scheme, part of the Santander Universities network of supporting the Higher Education sector, offers a combined total of £44,000 to support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Applications for the awards take the form of a proposal from the applicant, which would include details such as proposed target market, financial forecasts, idea viability, but also personal motivations and objectives. The awards are separated by two categories, undergraduate and postgraduate with the top prize for each category being £5,000 and £20,000 respectively.
Proposals can be submitted now and the competition will be open until the 5th May 2011. There will be a selection process at the University of Leicester with the strongest applicants being entered into consideration alongside other contestants from participating universities. The top 5 entries from each category, as judged anonymously by a judging panel from partnered universities, will go head to head to pitch to judges in London.
Working alongside Santander Universities the University of Leicester is providing the opportunity for its students to get access to funding which marks a real chance for them to develop their ideas further.
Rajinder Bhuhi, Enterprise Learning Officer at the University said:
“This is a fantastic chance for students to get access to funding to turn a dream to reality. Getting funding for your business idea is one of the key hurdles any entrepreneur will come across”.
Mrs Bhuhi added:
“This opportunity compliments the work within Student Development and our aim to develop, nurture and support the development of business ideas from our students. We are working hard to provide the tools, skills and knowledge to our entrepreneurial students and to be able to guide them towards opportunities like this is a real bonus”.
Stephen O'Connor, Director of Development in the Development and Alumni Relations Office said:
“We are delighted that Santander have chosen to support the University of Leicester through its Santander Universities scheme and welcome their valuable funding for Postgraduate Student Scholarships, Travel Awards and our Summer School activity. As one of the UK’s leading Universities we are committed to encouraging entrepreneurship amongst our students and the “Awards for Entrepreneurship” scheme is an exciting development in the partnership with Santander Universities and offers an excellent opportunity to recognise and support the many talented entrepreneurs at Leicester.”