9 December 2021
Cubico Sustainable Investments (Cubico) and Celsia Colombia (Celsia) have awarded another student with the Young Talented Leaders Scholarship following its launch last year.
Esteban Rubiano is the second recipient of the scholarship, which was designed to support academically gifted Colombian students to achieve their educational and personal growth ambitions.
Sponsored by Cubico and Celsia, and benefitting from the support of IE Foundation, the scholarship covers all training and education costs during a four-year degree programme at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Esteban, who is studying Business Administration, was chosen following a competitive selection process for his academic excellence and the leadership skills he has shown through his work with indigenous communities, among other achievements.
Speaking with the conviction of an experienced leader, Esteban said that he believes “the best way to create a positive and lasting impact on society is through business.”
Before moving to Spain for his studies, he had traded what many may consider a typical teenage lifestyle for meetings with the indigenous communities of La Guajira, the municipality in which he grew up.
“I have gotten to know their worldview, beliefs and culture. This has allowed me to perceive how rich we are on a cultural level and the treasure we have, but also their needs and challenges. For that reason, I want to work in the future to generate a positive impact in my local region,” Esteban noted.
Esteban with the first scholarship recipient Maria José and our General Counsel and Head of Corporate Affairs Olga Garcia (centre), as well as IE Foundation’s Director General Geoffroy Gérard (left) and Executive Vice President Gonzalo Garland (right).
Once he finishes university, Esteban plans to return to Colombia to lead projects which contribute to the development of the country, but for now he is enjoying the experience.
“I have no words to express my gratitude for fulfilling this dream. I share the values of sustainable development with Celsia and Cubico, as well as technological innovation and the promotion of renewable energies.
“Together we can work for the development of our local regions and build a better country – and they can count on me,” he adds.
Francisco Moya, Head of Brazil and Rest of Latam at Cubico, commented: “We are truly happy for supporting the young talent in Colombia through the Cubico/Celsia scholarship. As part of Cubico’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities, its crucial for us to contribute to develop those Communities where we have active presence ”
“Celsia and Cubico have shared values of supporting and promoting education as a very important pillar for the wellbeing of our communities.
“This scholarship arises as an additional effort by the organisation to support our future leaders by offering them, in this case, the opportunity to continue their education at a top-level institution such as IE University,” said Ricardo Sierra, leader of Celsia.
“The best social investment for the future is to invest in talent. At the IE Foundation, thanks to the support of partners such as Cubico and Celsia, we are committed to making this a reality for Colombia’s best talent by providing them with financial resources so they can study at IE University and become agents of positive change in their country after completing their studies,” said Geoffroy Gérard, the IE Foundation’s Managing Director.
“Maria José and Esteban are two outstanding ambassadors for their country and for their sponsors, and they will help to make the major social impact pursued by the Foundation.”
