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Esade and BASF reinforce their commitment to talent, diversity, and sustainable leadership

Chemical company BASF will support research and social debate projects initiated by the Esade Center for LeadershipS and Sustainability and will strengthen the Scholarship Program in attracting diverse talent to the new Degree in Transformational Leadership and Social Impact
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BASF and Esade renewed a collaboration agreement whereby the company will continue supporting the research and social debate projects of the Esade Center for LeadershipS and Sustainability. BASF will also collaborate with Esade's Scholarship Program to promote equal opportunities, inclusion, and diversity in the classroom by helping young talent with limited economic resources study Esade’s degree course in Transformational Leadership and Social Impact.

The director general of BASF in Spain, Carles Navarro, highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between the education sector and the business world. “We are working with an outstanding institution such as Esade with the aim of using leadership and academic knowledge to create a fairer and more sustainable society", he said. Olaya Garcia-Lancha, director of Institutional Development & Engagement at Esade, added: "this agreement further strengthens the collaboration we have been developing with BASF since 2018 and reinforces our mission to become an agent of change by attracting and training diverse talent – while supporting research and social debate".

Research and social debate

The collaboration with the Esade Center for LeadershipS and Sustainability strengthens the relationship between BASF and Esade. Activities include forums and knowledge workshops for students, faculty, and professionals from the company; the publication of success stories about business leadership in matters of sustainability; and continuous training for BASF employees in sustainable development and the UN 2030 Agenda.

BASF will also facilitate access to the Transformational Leadership and Social Impact degree course with which Esade aims to empower young people and socially conscious entrepreneurs to tackle the great challenges facing society. This is a new university program to train the next generation of business leaders and addresses the problems and ambitions of a generation that demands a new business world and is strongly committed to sustainability, the environment, and the welfare of society. This year's first graduating class includes 44 students from 27 countries.

Sustainability training as a fundamental axis

Esade's comprehensive commitment to including environmental and social sustainability as a fundamental axis in its academic activity was recognized as the “Best Circular Practice in the Academic World” in recent BASF Awards (specifically, for the development and implementation of training courses focused on the circular economy and sustainability). These courses begin during undergraduate programs with the subject ‘Sustainability, Business and Values’ and studies continue to final degree projects. More specialization is added in the master's degree programs through theses (research) and in-company projects focused on a business, NGO, or organization (consultancy).