Supporting managerial talent in Colombia
Since 2011, the Ayudar Foundation has supported Colombian students to complete Exeter’s One Planet MBA programme.
The Ayudar Foundation was founded by Exeter alumnus Gerry Brown (Economics & Economic History, 1966), and his wife Clemencia Posada-Brown.
Since 2011, the Foundation has donated more than £630,000 to the University of Exeter Business School to establish the Ayudar Colombia Fund. The Fund provides scholarships for Colombian students to study on our exclusive One Planet MBA programme and on our flagship Masters programme in Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture. It also provides opportunities for Exeter academics and students to travel to Colombia to study and forge long-term partnerships.
The Ayudar Colombia Fund was born out of Gerry and Clemencia’s desire to support the development of managerial talent in Colombia that will make a major contribution to business development, alongside positive social and environmental impact. Clemencia was born and brought up in Colombia and wants to help her country and its people by educating those who can make a difference. The students supported by the Foundation can take ideas and good practice back to their country to help to improve the life of ordinary Colombians.
We have been overwhelmed by the appreciation of the 12 students who have so far graduated with Masters Degrees, some with Distinctions. We have also enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the students on a regular basis and to become their friends. They have all really benefitted as people by coming to the university and are much better equipped to make a difference to their country.
Gerry Brown and Clemencia Posada-Brown
Very few people in Colombia have a Masters degree in sustainability and this field is not very well developed as yet, therefore I will have an opportunity to apply what I have learnt during the programme at Exeter in my home country.
Paula Andrea Siabato, Ayudar MBA Scholar