This August the Pre-Academic Program for SENACYT Scholars program will welcome its ninth cohort of students to the University of Arkansas. The group of 22 Panamanian will begin their academics at Spring International Language Center before starting degrees at the University of Arkansas.

Two hundred and one students have been a part of program since it began in 2013. The program has a 92% graduation rate, with an average grade point average of 3.20. Of the 87 students who have graduated, 23 have continued to graduate school at the U of A. Others have gone on to careers with Bosch, Copa Airlines, First Quantum Minerals and Nestle.

The program was created in 2012 to provide low- to middle-income Panamanian students the opportunity to enter higher education. The program created a pipeline to college graduation. Students start with intensive English language training, continue through academic programs and finish with college graduation. This program provides the necessary skills and preparation for scholars to continue as full-time degree-seeking students.

The program is a collaboration between the U of A's Graduate School and International Education, the Republic of Panama and Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Technología e Innovación.