MSC Foundation launches award for ‘Best Tourism Final Degree Project’ at Complutense University of Madrid

New award with €4,000 prize and minimum six-month internship at MSC Cruises honours Emiliano González, President of MSC Cruises Spain, who passed away in 2020

Focus Area: Community Support, Education

The MSC Foundation has partnered with the Complutense University of Madrid to promote development and academic excellence in tourism and commerce through a new award for Best Tourism Final Degree Project. Created in honour of Emiliano González, President of MSC Cruises Spain who passed away in 2020, the award aims to recognise top students with a commitment to tourism as a driver of sustainable development.

The award will run for at least four years, with each winner receiving a €4,000 prize and the opportunity to benefit from an internship of at least six months at MSC Cruises’ European offices.

Emiliano González

María Francisca Blasco, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism of the Complutense University of Madrid explained "The agreement we have had the honour of promoting between MSC Cruises and the Complutense University of Madrid is an important milestone for the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism, being our first agreement with a prestigious international cruise company. It was also important for us to pay tribute to Emiliano González, President of MSC Cruises Spain, a person valued for his contribution to tourism. MSC Cruises and the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism have now launched this Best Tourism Final Degree Project award, which will give our top students the opportunity to gain financial aid and work experience at this great cruise company.”

Fernando Pacheco, MSC Cruises Spain General Manager added “From the moment he finished his studies in Tourism Business Management, Emiliano González was not only dedicated to MSC Cruises but the tourism sector in general. Our President always aspired to excellence in this industry and knew that the future of tourism lay in innovating experiences and sustainability. An annual award in his name promoting the future of sustainable tourism with an institution as renowned as the Complutense University of Madrid is a fitting way to honour his memory and contribution to the sector.”

Students in the final year of their tourism or combined tourism and commerce degrees are now invited to apply for the award. The award committee will be accepting applications until 16^th May 2022, and students must submit their final degree project before the deadline. The documents required include a letter explaining the applicant’s motivation and desire to work in the cruise industry, and their vision for tourism as a driver of sustainable development. The award committee will consist of six people from the Complutense University of Madrid, the MSC group and the family of Emiliano González.

Daniela Picco, MSC Foundation Executive Director commented “MSC is a family-owned Group that cares for people and the environment as this award clearly shows, perfectly embodying the values of the MSC Foundation. MSC Cruises has ambitious sustainability plans and takes decisive measures to implement them, shaping the future of the tourism industry. Which is why we’re so motivated to recognise and nurture the young talents who will build this sustainable future”.