- The organisation, promoted by Noel Alimentaria, has celebrated the ninth edition of its scholarship programme at an event attended by more than two hundred people at Sala El Torín in Olot, the capital of La Garrotxa.
- With the three newly selected students, 29 young people have now received support from the Foundation since the programme was launched in 2018.
La Fundació Maria Rosa Sans, promoted by Noel Alimentaria, held the ninth edition of its university scholarship awards ceremony this Friday October 2nd, at Sala El Torín in Olot. This year, three new students from La Garrotxa were selected to receive this support, an initiative aimed at promoting equal opportunities and facilitating access to university education for talented young people from the region.
The event, hosted by journalist Òscar Cabana, brought together more than 200 people, including members of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, this year’s scholarship recipients and their families, former beneficiaries, and teaching staff from secondary schools in Olot and Amer, the educational centres attended by the students.
The event also featured institutional representation, led by the First Deputy Mayor of Olot City Council, Estanis Vayreda, and the President of the Consell Comarcal de la Garrotxa, Albert Danés, as well as various representatives from the region’s educational, cultural and social sectors.
The event began with a welcome speech by Joan Boix, President of La Fundació Maria Rosa Sans, who highlighted the importance of supporting students in their academic and personal development. Boix stressed that talent and the desire to learn should not be limited by a lack of opportunities and explained that the scholarships aim to support young people during a decisive stage in their lives, providing them with the tools and confidence they need to build their own future. He also emphasised that investing in young people’s talent means investing in the future of the region and is a collective responsibility that concerns society as a whole.
A reflective perspective: from secondary school to university
One of the key moments of the event was the talk “From secondary school to university”, delivered by Jordi Feu, a graduate in Political Science and Sociology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), a PhD holder from the Universitat de Girona (UdG), and Director of the Càtedra de Renovació Pedagògica at the UdG.
During his talk, Feu addressed the transition to university as a period of growth that goes beyond academic education and also contributes to personal development and the formation of critically engaged citizens. In this context, he focused on the need to overcome the barriers that can still restrict access to higher education, especially among young people who become the first generation in their families to attend university. Feu also highlighted the importance of expanding opportunities, fostering talent and linking this educational stage to commitment to and development of the local area.
Students share their experiences first-hand
The event also gave a voice to the scholarship recipients through a round-table discussion that offered two different perspectives on the university journey.
Carme Roca, a recipient of the third edition of the scholarships (2020–2021) and a graduate in Advertising and Public Relations from the UdG, shared her experience after completing her studies and beginning her professional career at the multinational advertising agency Dentsu. Meanwhile, Sandia Yero Gandega Samarassa, one of this year’s scholarship recipients, shared the perspective of someone who is just beginning this new stage.
The discussion was completed by the academic perspective of Jordi Feu and the experience of Anna Bonfill, Secretary of La Fundació Maria Rosa Sans.
Three new scholarship recipients
The event concluded with the presentation of the scholarships to the three students selected in this ninth edition: Aisatu Gumaneh Gumaneh, from INS Montsacopa, who will study a double degree in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration and Management at the Universitat de Girona (UdG); Dante Juan Raviña Corestein, from INS La Garrotxa, who will study Aerospace Technology Engineering at the UPC in Terrassa; and Sandia Yero Gandega Samarassa, also from INS La Garrotxa, who will study Business and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Including this year’s recipients and those from previous editions, la Fundació Maria Rosa Sans has now supported a total of 29 young people since the programme was launched in 2018. In addition to welcoming new beneficiaries each year, the scholarships may be renewed annually until students complete their studies, provided they maintain their academic commitment.
Over its nine years of activity, including the 2026–2027 academic year, the total value of the scholarships awarded amounts to more than €250,000. This figure includes the initial value of the scholarships awarded to the three students selected this year, as well as the contributions made over the different academic years completed by the other scholarship recipients since 2018.
In this regard, the First Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Economy and Finance of Olot City Council, Estanis Vayreda, highlighted the track record and impact of an initiative that, after nine editions, has become firmly established as a tool for supporting young talent and promoting equal opportunities in the region.
The foundation’s support also goes beyond financial assistance. The three new students will take part in a mentoring programme, through which they will receive guidance and support from a mentor to help them adapt to this new academic and personal stage.
Further information about the scholarships, the latest news from the foundation, the experiences of previous scholarship recipients and the most recent Annual Activity Report is available at www.fundaciomrsans.org.
Relive the scholarship award ceremony
We invite you to relive the highlights of the ninth edition of the Maria Rosa Sans Foundation’s scholarship award ceremony. Through the experiences shared by Sandia Yero Gandega, a 2026–2027 scholarship recipient; Carme Roca, a 2020–2021 scholarship recipient; Anna Bonfill, Secretary of the Maria Rosa Sans Foundation; and Jordi Feu, Professor at the University of Girona, we gain a closer insight into the impact of this initiative and the importance of supporting young people throughout their academic and personal journeys.
About La Fundació Maria Rosa Sans
La Fundació Maria Rosa Sans was established in 2018 in Sant Feliu de Pallerols (Girona) at the initiative of the Boix-Bosch family, who are also behind Noel Alimentaria, and the Boix-Bonfill family. Its purpose is to promote equal opportunities and foster people’s growth and development through education and the promotion of personal autonomy. The organisation works to support the academic and professional development of talented and capable young people who, due to their family and financial circumstances, do not have sufficient resources to begin university studies.
All information about the scholarships, student testimonials and the latest Annual Activity Report is available at www.fundaciomrsans.org.