A. M. 
As part of the opening ceremony for the 2026 academic year, the Rector of the Escuela Superior de Economía y Negocios (ESEN), Everardo Rivera, along with deans of the four programs and representatives of the Poma Foundation, awarded 85 scholarships to students of this institution.
“As part of our commitment to education, each year we recognize, through various scholarship programs, the talent, dedication, and perseverance of the most academically outstanding students entering or already enrolled at our School. Therefore, during this welcome ceremony, 85 scholarships will be awarded for different reasons, each related to academic excellence and providing opportunities for all. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate their parents and families for the vital role they have played in their children’s successes, many of whom are here today. As our Founding Rector, Don Ricardo Poma, always emphasized, the best legacy you can leave your children is a quality education”, said Everardo Rivera, Rector of ESEN.
Of the total scholarships, 16 are from the “ESEN-Admission Process” fund, awarded to incoming students who achieved the highest scores in the 2025 admission process. The institution also granted 29 “Opportunity for All” scholarships, which benefit incoming students who graduated from national institutes across the country and stand out for their talent and academic achievements.
The Fundación Poma, a founding partner of ESEN, also joined in at the start of the academic year and awarded 12 “Ricardo Poma” Scholarships to current students of the School who achieved the highest GPA in their respective majors during the previous academic year.
“It fills us with joy and satisfaction to recognize the effort, dedication, and talent through the Ricardo Poma scholarships. This merit has special meaning for our Foundation because it reflects the value of excellence that always characterized my uncle Ricardo as a business and social leader. I encourage you to feel proud of this achievement, which you have attained through hard work”, said Alejandro Poma, president of the Fundación Poma.
Finally, 26 scholarships from the Fundación Strachan and 2 from the Fundación Motta were awarded to support highly talented young people with financial need, enabling them to continue their studies at ESEN. These scholarships are granted to students who demonstrate transformative leadership potential, academic excellence, and a demonstrable financial need. They are intended to cover expenses such as tuition, housing, food, and transportation, with the aim of supporting well-rounded students in their educational journey so they can later contribute to the country and the region.
Since its founding more than 30 years ago, ESEN has developed a scholarship program to support the education of young salvadorans and those from the region with outstanding academic abilities who face challenges in financing their studies. The initiative is framed within the philosophy of “opportunity for all,” according to which no young person with passion, conviction, and high abilities should be deprived of a quality education for economic reasons.
“Never lose your curiosity, your humility to learn, and your desire to grow. I challenge you to dare. Many of the most valuable things I’ve experienced here began because someone believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Friends who encouraged me to serve, to run for office, to take on responsibilities. And there I learned that true leadership isn’t about commanding, but about serving. Love is not selfish, it doesn’t seek its own, it isn’t proud. That love is what transforms teams, friendships, and communities”, said Farrel Zabanet, a fifth-year student in the Bachelor of Economics and Business program, who completed his high school studies at the Colegio Cristiano Salvadoreño En-Hacore and was awarded a scholarship from the Fundación Strachan.
“During these three weeks at the School, we’ve been able to experience a little of what our next few years at ESEN will be like. Some of us may still feel nervous; others excited, with high expectations and goals to achieve. But what cannot be denied is that we are here, not by chance, but because within each of us there is great potential waiting to be discovered and developed”, said Débora Yamilet Gómez, a first-year student who studied at the Instituto Nacional General Manuel José Arce and is a recipient of an Opportunity for All scholarship.
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