Nils and Rabih receive the Cornelius-Ernströmgruppen Climate Scholarship
The first recipients of the Cornelius-Ernströmgruppen Climate Scholarship have now been appointed at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg. The scholarship of SEK 50,000 is shared between students Nils Andersson and Rabih Darwish, who both work actively to find sustainable solutions that benefit the climate.
“Science is very clear that the way we have been living and running companies the past 50 years, will not work going forward without having serious consequences to our planet. I believe that our societies, our way of living and how we have been running companies are facing a shift we have not seen since the first industrial revolution but at an exponential speed. To encourage young, smart individuals to find solutions to this business transformation will not only help driving societies and companies to more sustainable solutions but also create new business opportunities and strengthen Sweden’s global competitiveness in this area. It is our hope that the Cornelius-Ernströmgruppen Climate Scholarship can make a small contribution to achieving this”, says Pontus Cornelius, former President & CEO of Ernströmgruppen.
The recipients of the scholarship have both shown proof of initiative and great commitment to finding smart solutions that benefit the climate.
Nils Andersson has studied the one-year master's course Management of Growth (MATIX). The course combines theory and qualified tasks at a partner company.
”It feels great to receive the Cornelius-Ernströmgruppen Climate Scholarship. At my partner company Out of Home, I have completed two large, climate-related projects. Among other things, I have developed the company's first sustainability strategy. I would like to work as a consultant with a focus on transforming companies, their business models and ways of working to become more sustainable. Thanks to the scholarship, I now have the opportunity to study the course "Sustainable Business Strategy" at Harvard Business School Online”, says Nils Andersson.
Rabih Darwish has studied the two-year master's programme Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship. Since 2017, he has been involved in the economic recovery and development in Lebanon. His work in Lebanon also included an initiative to reduce food waste post-harvest, with a focus on underprivileged rural areas.
“I am glad to have received this scholarship especially since it is one of the most significant signs of recognition I have received since moving to Sweden. This gives me a feeling of empowerment, reassurance, and motivation to advance in my social mission. I am developing two food-tech concepts – Meta-Farm and Bambu – that encourages households to grow and consume organic greens and to reduce food waste through changes in consumer behavior. The scholarship will be a welcome support in the development work”, says Rabih Darwish.
Nils Andersson receives his scholarship from Pontus Cornelius, former President and CEO of Ernströmgruppen AB, at the graduation of MATIX students on 3 June. Rabih Darwish receives his scholarship from Malin Jideus, Head of Sustainability at Ernströmgruppen AB, at the graduation of the master's programmes on 16 June.
The Gothenburg-based Ernströmgruppen AB has made the scholarship possible in the name of its former President and CEO - Pontus Cornelius - as a thank you for his burning commitment to the role of business in climate change, and his efforts to successfully build Ernströmgruppen AB into a strong global process industry group. Pontus Cornelius is an alumnus of the School of Business, Economics and Law and his wish is that the scholarship is offered to students at the School's business-oriented educations, with the aim of creating initiatives for sustainable businesses and business solutions that benefit a positive climate.
The scholarship covers SEK 50,000 and can be applied for by students at the advanced level and by new alumni who have done something for the climate and now have an idea of how to do more with the help of the scholarship.
Motivations for this year's recipients
Nils Andersson: ”The purpose of Cornelius-Ernströmgruppen Climate Scholarship is to encourage young, smart individuals to drive societies and companies to more sustainable solutions. Nils Andersson of the Matix programme has over the years proven his commitment to make a difference in this area. We are, therefore, proud to be able to support his future engagement with a 25.000 SEK scholarship”
Rabih Darwish: ”The purpose of Cornelius-Ernströmgruppen Climate Scholarship is to encourage young, smart individuals to drive societies and companies to more sustainable solutions. Waste in our societies are the lowest hanging fruits available today and, yet, so difficult to minimize. Today 30% of all food produced is wasted, creating not only huge environmental impact but also high cost. Finding paths to minimize this, will be of utmost importance for reaching not only the Paris Accord and The EU Green Deal, but more importantly, a healthier planet that can nurture an increasing population. We are therefore proud to be able to support Rabih Darwish with a 25.000SEK scholarship for him to further develop his ideas to minimize food waste”.
