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Bucaramanga, 02/22/2021 

• University scholarships were awarded by the Government of Santander within the framework of an alliance with the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN) and Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander College (UTS).

Of the five people benefited from college scholarships, two have already completed their transition to civilian life with the ARN, one is active in the reintegration process, another is a FARC-EP ex-combatant in reincorporation, and the fifth belongs to special reintegration. 

These new students from Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander began to pursue the first semester of their technological careers, which belong to the areas of business, commercial and accounting management. 

A first group of 7 scholarship recipients in 2020 – through the partnership between the Government of Santander, ARN and UTS – have already advanced to the second semester of their academic programs. This is the case of Carlos* (27), an individual in the process of reincorporation for whom study has always been a priority. "There are opportunities out there, but you have get out there and seize them. I am very grateful to ARN because they have helped me fulfill my dream" exults Carlos. 

He points out that his career is a great responsibility in his life, therefore he decided to study Industrial Production. “I have always had a liking for administrative affairs and business-related processes" – he adds.   

For the coordinator of the Territorial Group of the ARN, Ronald García, the challenge is “to continue contributing to the construction of knowledge with individuals in the process of reincorporation; therefore, we are concretizing training for work and human development within the Development Plan of the Governor's Office of Santander". 

These full scholarships are subject to the good academic performance of the student. “Generating productive capacities in ex-combatants is an important achievement for the department, thanks to the financing of the Government, the goodwill of the participants, and that of faculty members and directors at UTS" Mr. García stated.

Interesting Facts  

• 12 ex-combatants have been awarded scholarships under the partnership between the Government of Santander, ARN and UTS.​
• The awardees are studying under the remote modality, and take lessons at night, using digital platforms. They will attend the classrooms in person depending on the evolution of the pandemic.
• Reincorporation and reintegration routes have an educational component so that ex-combatants can access elementary school, secondary education and training for the trades.