The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) received a $ 1 million grant from the multinational institution Bank of America, which will allow students in economic need to undergo education to complete their college education and training to work locally and globally. on Sunday, the president of the university system, Dr. Jorge Haddock.
“In the historical context we find ourselves in, in Puerto Rico’s premier educational and scientific center, we are focused on ensuring the best education and maximum development for all our students. Aware that to the extent that we guarantee better professional opportunities for all our students, we close the gaps of inequality and poverty, while creating economic opportunity and inclusion. These funds will directly benefit our students and, by facilitating their integration into the workforce, will also contribute to the economic development of our island, ”said Haddock, who has promoted philanthropy as part of his work agenda with the goal of creating new develop opportunities. for students, to strengthen the bond between the institution and its graduates and to generate new income.
The UPR proposal was selected in a process among other universities in the 50 states of the United States, chosen from a group of just 21 higher education institutions. The grant guarantees the first educational center in Puerto Rico an annual amount of $ 250,000 for a period of four years. In this term, 400 students will benefit, who will receive financial support through scholarships, training and training to develop skills that will enable them to enter the labor market. The grant, administered with the support of the Central Administration, of the Vice Presidency of Philanthropy, and the Río Piedras Campus Faculty of Business, will benefit students from the 11 campuses and units studying in business administration programs.
For his part, Dr. Luis A. Ferrao, Rector of the Río Piedras Campus of the UPR, that “this grant emphasizes once again, not only the supreme relevance that our institution has for the development of our youth – undoubtedly the most important resource for the present. and the future of Puerto Rico, but also the recognition of this characteristic by private companies, in this case an entity of the interest of Bank of America ”.
“These resources add to the strenuous efforts our university puts in on a daily basis in training our young people for the construction of Puerto Rico that we all yearn for, a gesture from Bank of America for which we are extremely grateful,” added Ferrao. .
The Vice Presidencies of Philanthropy and External Resources are constantly looking for opportunities to compete for new funds to create scholarships and new projects for the benefit of the university community.
“This is an important grant in these times of great challenges as a result of the pandemic. This grant once again proves the excellence and capacity of our institution for individual and collective development at the local and global level. The grant will enable the development of workshops, training and other resources, which are translated in the short and long term into knowledge tools and essential skills for our students to enhance their maximum development, ”explains Wilma Santiago, Vice President of Philanthropy. . Gabrielini, who indicates the first time that the UPR has participated for this grant. The aid directly benefits students, to boost the workforce and thus the economy of our island.
President Haddock promised to continue seeking initiatives to support the student body and increase the institution’s income. “Promoting access to the quality education offered by the University of Puerto Rico, and thus social mobility, is part of our mission on the island,” said Haddock, a graduate of the UPR.
In addition to the UPR, accredited institutions such as Florida International University, North Carolina A&T State University, Tennessee State University, and The City University of New York – New York City, New York, were selected for the grant totaling $ 25 million.
Bank of America invests in college programs to increase employment for minority groups in their communities, close the income gap and improve individual careers.