PURPOSE OF PATRONATO UNIVERSITARIO
Mission and vision
Before describing the mission and vision of Fundación Patronato Universitario, it is essential to highlight that its leading promoter, Luis Valls, was a staunch defender of education. “It is one of the topics that most concerns me the most because education is the only thing that remains with a person. Money, after all, can come and go, but a good education stays forever,” 1 he used to say. Therefore, in his philanthropic work, he spared no effort to support a group of people often overlooked by banks: students. In Luis Valls’s opinion, the social impact of supporting education is fundamental in any society. Therefore, through his three foundations, he fostered the growth (and sometimes survival) of various cultural entities and of thousands of students. He often said that if someone wanted to improve their life, they had to start with education. Luis Valls would be very pleased to know that the foundations continue to support this work that was so dear to him; as he often said, education has few financiers but is, in reality, the Foundation upon which a better society is built.
Students at the center
Included in his concept of students, Luis Valls encompassed all those seeking higher education and those looking to expand their postgraduate studies, often abroad. This He did not overlook the seminarian students traveling from Africa, Asia, and America to complete their studies at European ecclesiastical universities. Over more than fifty years, among the beneficiaries of the Patronato Universitario include thousands of students who, with various needs and concerns, have sought assistance from the foundation, ranging from vocational training, performing arts schools, ecclesiastical faculties, and above all, secondary and higher education. The mission and vision of this Foundation are to improve people’s lives by supporting their education. To qualify for support, it is indispensable that the student be able to demonstrate the ability to work hard and to commit to complying with the loan repayment conditions.
Mission and vision of Patronato Universitario Fundación
The Foundation’s primary mission is to financially support the promotion, defense, and development of socio-cultural values promoted by university centers or other institutions, regardless of their nature. Through its activities, Fundación Patronato Universitario fosters the curiosity of young university students, encourages them to work hard, and stimulates the effective development of their academic and professional activities. The programs of Fundación Patronato Universitario promote entrepreneurial ability, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork. Within this framework, the Foundation’s values are the capacity for initiative, professionalism, and technical efficiency. When evaluating projects, Fundación Patronato Universitario takes into account the sustainability of the initiatives, their capacity to generate well-being for communities, and, above all, the importance it places on respect for individual freedom. Additionally, it seeks to promote co-responsibility, which translates into the interest in integrating various social agents into its projects. Finally, it is a firm defender of austerity in expenses and transparency.
Bibliography
(1) From the chapter “The Rebirth of the Leopard” of the book Interior Portraits. The human side of twenty powerful men (Temas de Hoy, 1994) by journalists Pilar Ferrer and Luisa Palma.
