Panama awards 167 scholarships for science and technology studies

Panama's National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Senacyt) has granted 167 scholarships to deserving Panamanian students pursuing higher education in science, technology, and innovation. The initiative represents a significant investment of $9.6 million aimed at fostering professional development in critical fields.

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These students are chosen by committees outside the Secretariat. The Secretariat does not choose a single student or a single master's program.

The scholarships will support students in undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. Some recipients will undertake their studies abroad, while others will pursue their academic goals within Panama. Senacyt Director Eduardo Ortega emphasized that the selection process is managed by external committees, ensuring impartiality and focusing on merit.

For students studying internationally, Senacyt provides support for their return to Panama and subsequent integration into the job market. This includes a phased salary subsidy for their first three years of employment in the private, public, or academic sectors. Those remaining in Panama will receive funding for their research projects and theses, which are expected to address national challenges.

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Those who are going abroad, when they return, we facilitate their return and job placement in Panama and pay 100% of their salary for one year, 75% for one year, and 50% for one year, and we place them in the private, public, and academic sectors. So we provide close follow-up.

One scholarship recipient, Humberto Edward, a physics graduate from the public university system, highlighted the opportunity the scholarship provides for continued academic growth and serving as an inspiration to other young people. The scholarship awards coincided with the commemoration of World Youth Skills Day, underscoring the initiative's focus on empowering the next generation.

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I am a 100% student from the official system, proudly graduated from a public school in Arraiján. I studied Physics at the University of Panama, completed my master's with a scholarship at the Technological University, and now I have the opportunity to pursue my doctorate.