ESADE and Ashoka Foundation collaborate to promote innovation and social entrepreneurship
ESADE and the Ashoka Foundation have strengthened their relationship through a collaboration agreement aimed at promoting innovation and social entrepreneurship through education. Under this agreement, the two institutions will promote various initiatives aimed at analysing social innovation trends in areas such as healthcare, child education, gender balance and the environment. The agreement also calls for pro bono internships and consulting work for ESADE students, as well as scholarships and grants for Ashoka members who want to receive training at the school.
The purpose of this agreement is to generate synergies in order to foster an educational model that contributes new knowledge and to present innovative solutions that can be implemented and disseminated for the benefit of society, thus making the two institutions active agents of change.
Eugenia Bieto, Director General of ESADE Business & Law School, highlighted the importance of this type of collaboration in reinforcing the institutions' commitment to change, innovation and entrepreneurship: "By pooling our efforts, our two institutions can contribute to the development of society and to the well-being of people in today's increasingly globalised world." She added: "Thanks to collaboration agreements such as this one with Ashoka, we can promote social debate, attract top talent to our classrooms and, in this way, make sure the educational experience offered by ESADE is unique, innovative and transformative."
Maite Arango, President of Ashoka Spain and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Vips Group, commented: "This alliance with ESADE is a unique opportunity to combine social entrepreneurship with one of the world's most important institutions in academia and the business world." She added: "Being able to work strategically with the faculty, students and alumni, as well as the rest of the ESADE community, is a great opportunity that will allow us to accelerate the positive change in society that we all want to see and to head off problems by providing solutions."
Social innovation: a component of ESADE's educational model
ESADE is committed to an innovative and transformative educational model that trains students to be critical thinkers and encourages them to engage with social issues. The school has launched various projects focused on employability and selection processes. One example is Career Day, which features educational sessions that help BBA, MBA and MSc students enhance skills and abilities that will help them during the hiring process. ESADE also organises debates on social-impact topics. Examples include Solidarity Day – an annual event that raises awareness about the social reality that surrounds us, promotes reflection, and encourages an interest in cooperation and volunteering initiatives – and gender-equality initiatives such as UN Women's #HeForShe platform, of which ESADE is a member.
