Recognition and awards

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

The Santander Group is an organisation whose activities largely depend on work or initiative of its members brought on voluntary basis. We fully understand that the SG achievements are conditioned by contribution of the most active, entrepreneurial and skillful individuals. Therefore, the Santander Group would like to devote this space to recognition of efforts of such individuals and also most active institutions that have turned SG projects and events into the success of the whole organisation.

2009

	The 2010 General Assembly of the Santander Group was held in Porto, Portugal at the University of Porto, on 4th and 5th June, 2010. The Santander Group wants to express its sincere gratitude to host, Professor Antonio Marques, Vice-Rector for International Relations of the University of Porto, for the welcoming hospitality to the GA participants in the university's facilities. Our appreciation also goes to Mrs. Cristina Ferreira, Mrs. Angela Lago Carvalho, Mrs. Lina Santos, Ms. Ana Almeida and Mr. Rui Oliveira, the organising committee, who gave an invaluable contribution to the organisation of a successful and fruitful meeting for our Network.
	The Santander Group would like to thank Mrs. Lieve Bracke from Ghent University in recognition of her work on the Executive Committee of the Santander Group – European Universities’ Network from 2007 till 2010, with special words of gratitude for her initiative, expertise and co-operative approach towards all member universities. The Group hopes to pursue its collaboration with Mrs. Lieve Bracke as an Honorary Executive Committee Member.
	The Santander Group would like to thank Professor Heinz Pöhlmann from the University of Bayreuth in recognition of his work on the Executive Committee of the Santander Group – European Universities’ Network from 2006 till 2010, with special words of gratitude for his initiative, expertise and co-operative approach towards all member universities. The Group hopes to pursue its collaboration with Professor Pöhlmann as an Honorary Executive Committee Member.
	For the organisation of its 2009 Liaison Officer meeting, the Santander Group would like to thank most warmly Ghent University hosting the event and more specifically Valère Meus and Barbara Claeys, organisers, for all the hard work they put into making this meeting a success as well as Prof. Van Cauwenberge, rector of Ghent University, for his support and active participation in the event.
	The Santander Group would like to thank all its speakers at the EAIE Conference held in Madrid between 16-19 September 2009. We are very grateful to Alberto Sereno (Santander Group) Suzana Quieroz Monteiro (FAUBAI, Brazil), Julio Theiler (National University of Litoral, Argentina), Guillermo Morones Diaz (ANUIES, Mexico) for their participation in our session on "Bridging Higher Education between Europe and Latin America". We would also like to thank warmly Valere Meus (Ghent University, Belgium), Barbara Costa (University of Porto, Portugal), Mar Fernandez Sainz (University of Valladolid, Spain), Jose Gutierrez Fernandez (EACEA, European Commission) and Ivana Vujkov (University of Novi Sad, Serbia) for taking part in our session on "Managing EU-Third country mobility projects in higher education".
	The 2009 SG Summer School took place in Catania, on 5-12 July, 2009 on Recent developments for modelling environmental systems. The Santander Group would like to express its gratitude to the University of Catania for hosting the event and to Mrs. Cinzia Tutino, who took care of the organisation and offered to all participants a warm hospitality and an enjoyable stay in Catania, alongside a brilliant opportunity for learning and experience.
	The Santander Group would like to thank Professor Victor de Kosinsky from the Santander Group – European Universities’ Network, in recognition of his merits as SG Secretary General between 2001 and 2009, with special words of gratitude for his collaborative approach, initiative and commitment to the interests of the association. The Group hopes to pursue its collaboration with Professor de Kosinsky as an Honorary Secretary General whose expertise may continue to benefit SG Member Universities.
	The Santander Group would like to thank Professor George Stavropoulos from the University of Patras in recognition of his work on the Executive Committee of the Santander Group – European Universities’ Network from 2006 till 2009, with special words of gratitude for his initiative, expertise and co-operative approach towards all member universities. The Group hopes to pursue its collaboration with Professor Stavropoulos as an Honorary Member.
	The 2009 General Assembly of the Santander Group was held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, at the Babes-Bolyai University, on 12 and 13 June, 2009. The Santander Group wants to express its sincere gratitude to host, Professor Andrei Marga Rector of the Babes-Bolyai University, for the welcoming hospitality to the GA participants in the university's facilities. Our appreciation also goes to Prof. Dr. Titus Beu, Director of the Center for International Cooperation, Adina Fodor, Prof. Dr. Alina Andreica, Prof. Dr. Ec. Alexandra Mutiu, Carmen Tagsorean and Anca Kiss, the organising committee, who gave an invaluable contribution to the organisation of a successful and fruitful meeting for our Network.
	Since 2009 the Santander Group has been participating in the ALFA Observatory Project, submitted by the University of Porto. A special recognition goes to Prof. Alberto Sereno, the Sanlat Task Force Co-ordinator, for preparing a successful proposal and his valuable help in integrating the Santander Group as a European partner in this initiative. Through this project, the Group continues perfecting its co-operation with Latin America by helping Latin American countries improve the accessibility, quality and relevance of their Higher Education.
	The Santander Group would like to express its gratitude to Marjo Van der Valk, from the Eindhoven University of Technology. Thanks to her help, the Santander Group is working towards further co-operation with the Leo-Net network and was able to organise the SG Workshop on March 10th by sharing her expertise and experience on a theme of interest to our member universities: *"Cooperation in the field of Work Placements and Internships"*.

2008

The 2008 General Assembly of the Santander Group was held in Poznan, at the Adam Mickiewicz University, on 13 and 14 June, 2008. The Santander Group wants to express its sincere gratitude to host, Professor Marek Kręglewski, Vice-Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University, for the welcoming hospitality to the GA participants in the university's facilities. Our appreciation also goes to Joanna Morawska, from the European Integration Centre of the Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan, and her colleagues, who gave an invaluable contribution to the organisation of a successful and fruitful meeting for our Network.

The 2008 SG Summer School took place in Catania, on 14-20 July, 2008. The Santander Group would like to express its gratefulness to Mrs. Cinzia Tutino, from the international Relations Office, who took care of the organisation and offered to all participants a warm hospitality and an enjoyable stay in Catania, alongside a brilliant opportunity for learning and experience. We would also like to express our appreciation for the kind welcome from Prof. Antonino Recca, Rector of the University of Catania, who presided over the opening ceremony of the Summer School.

A special recognition for their special contribution goes to Prof. Mirella Cassarino, Prof. Stefania Panebianco, Prof. Maurizio Caserta, Prof. Nicoletta Parisi, Prof. Gaetano Lalomia, Prof. Francesca Vigo, Prof. Aneta Dimitrova. Their invaluable academic contribution, in the framework of the Summer School's programme on Linguistic Mediation and Intercultural Dialogue between development and integration in the Mediterranean Area, has given to all participants the opportunity to enjoy lively discussions, a multicultural and challenging environment.

The 2008 SG annual Liaison Officers Meeting took place at the Rovira i Virgili University from 9th to 11th October in Tarragona, Spain. The event coincided with the meeting of the SG Executive Committee which gave an opportunity to exchange ideas and views on the Santander Group activities. Participants heard the presentation on the Global Promotion Project and carried out workshops to identify needs of the university members and potential of the Group.

We would like to thank the organisers, Rector of the Rovira i Virgili University, Prof. Francesc Xavier Grau, Vice-Rector, Prof. Josep Manel Ricart as well as Marina Casals and Rebeca Tomás Smith from the Internationalisation Unit for their hospitality and a friendly atmosphere during discussions and social programme.

2007

In 2007 the General Assembly of the Santander Group was held on 1-2 June at the University of Justus-Liebig in Giessen. The event coincided with the 400th anniversary of the University, which added additional splendour to the most important meeting in the lifecycle of the Network. The Santander Group would like to express special gratitude for the host of the meeting, Professor Stefan Hormuth, Rector of Justus Liebig University for offering the Santander Group its university facilities and warm hospitality to participants of the General Assembly. Special words of appreciation we address also to Ms Julia Volz, the SG Liaison Officer and Head of the International Office and her colleagues who have made every effort to make the organisation of the meeting a full success.

On 14-15 June, SANGRE Coordinators, Margarita Ahlqwist and Gustav Bertilsson Uleberg from Research and Innovation Services of the University of Göteborg organized a SG SANGRE Meeting in Brussels devoted to financial, legal and organizational management of the Research Programmes within the 7th Framework Programme. We specially appreciate expertise and knowledge of Margarita Ahlqwist and Gustav Bertilsson Uleberg put in preparation of the interesting programme and invitation specialists from the European Commission. We are very grateful for this initiative that fosters the SG research potential.

The Santander Group members would like to express gratefulness to the team of the International Office of the University of Malmö, in Sweden Knut Bergknut Director for International Affairs, Gunilla Pfannenstill Pia Larsson International Relations Officer, Jan Tietge International Relations Officer, Caroline Climie Wapnerfor an outstanding organization of the SG Summer School from 20-28th July 2007. Their personal engagement, friendly attitude, and daily care of all the participants created a family like atmosphere, thus making the stay in Malmö an enjoyable and lasting experience.
Moreover, we would like to emphasize special contribution of Prof. Inge Eriksson from the International Programme for European Studies and Prof. Philip Muus from International Migration and Ethnic Relations from University of Malmö who have realized the Programme of the School devoted to Changing borders, patterns of migration and identities. Apart from interesting and challenging discussions during lectures, they gave participants opportunities to share experience and observations on living in a multicultural environment. The school was concluded with two lively debates on topics raised previously. We believe comments of participants are the best evidence of the successful event:

From Diego, Valladolid: Well, I just want to say THANK YOU guys once again for all the effort and all that you did for us... we had a terrific time in Malmö!
From Michelle, Amsterdam: I have arrived safely and I'm missing Malmö with everything and everyone in it badly! It was a great experience, it exceeded my expectations in every way I had a lot more fun than I expected, you all did an amazing job. Thank you all so much for your hard work!
Postcard from Jenny, Amsterdam: I am very pleased with my studies. It gave her new impressions besides her biomedical studies.

International Relations Officer, International Relations Officer

Liaison Officers Meeting in 2007 took place in Göteborg from 7-8 September and was prepared by Johan Ahlgren and Johanna Fransson who put enormous work in its organization. We would like to express our thankfulness to them and their university management for giving us a splendid opportunity to feel integrated around the SG issues and for creating charming atmosphere of warmth and typical Scandinavian friendliness. Thank you for your personal engagement and letting us keep the stay in our lasting memories.

III SANBOL Meeting on 20-21 September in Lund deserves special recognition thank to openness of the Sanbol Coordinator, Prof. Bronisław Marciniak from Adam Mickiewicz University and initiative of Vice Rector of the Lund University, Eva Åkesson, 16 participants representing the SG universities were able to attend a meeting devoted to interesting and highly innovative approach towards Doctoral Supervision. We would like to express our gratitude to Vice Rector Eva Åkesson and other Lund University representatives for excellent organization of the meeting and offering university facilities to host the Santander Group Meeting.

Prof. Alberto Sereno, AlBan Programme and also SANLAT Task Force Coordinator took an initiative to organize a SANLAT Meeting that was held on 30th October 2007 at the SG Office in Brussels. Prof. Sereno has collected all his experience and knowledge to share it with SG members in the form of lessons learned from the projects carried out with the region of Latin America. We find it very useful for our members. We are grateful for the initiative and expertise that can be applied for the future development of LA cooperation.

Rector of the University of Patras, Prof. Stavros A. Koubias, offered his hospitality and necessary facilities to the Santander Group Executive Committee that held their Meeting in Patras on 19-20 October this year. The Santander Group would like to express its acknowledgement for the achievements of the University of Patras. At he same time we appreciate time and attention of Rector Koubias devoted for the EC members. At the same time we would like to thank for every effort made to excellent organisation of the meeting. We would also like to address special words of recognition for Prof. George Stavropoulos from the Patras University and also SG Executive Committee Member as well as Nikos Mandalos from the International Office for taking initiative to organise the EC Meeting in Patras and also for making the stay a fruitful and efficient event.