Starting June 2, the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) will implement its Academic Support Courses, an initiative designed for students who are taking the same course for the third or fourth time and are seeking to overcome one of the most challenging stages of their academic journey.
The measure, established under Academic Council Agreement No. 246 of 2025, is an institutional strategy aimed at improving student retention and providing greater graduation opportunities for undergraduate students enrolled in on-campus academic programs.
According to data from the Admissions and Academic Records Office, 1,179 students are currently repeating a course for the third or fourth time. However, institutional analysis also revealed that 411 students, representing 35% of those registered, do not meet the requirements established to participate in this academic support strategy.
The courses will be offered over a four-week period, from June 2 to June 20, and are intended to provide intensive academic assistance that strengthens competencies, reinforces fundamental knowledge, and improves students’ chances of passing subjects considered highly demanding.
This initiative addresses one of the main challenges faced by universities in terms of student retention: reducing course repetition rates and preventing difficulties in key subjects from becoming obstacles to students’ academic continuity.
High-Demand Academic Subjects
The Academic Support Courses will focus on subjects traditionally recognized as conceptually and technically demanding, particularly in the fields of basic sciences and engineering.
The courses offered include:
- Operations Research II
- Electric Circuits I
- Electric Circuits II
- Electromagnetic Theory
- Signal Processing
- Dynamics
- Strength of Materials
- Linear Algebra I
- Calculus I
- Calculus II
- Calculus III
- Differential Equations
To ensure that a course is offered, the University has established a minimum enrollment requirement of six students per subject.
A Commitment to Student Retention and Academic Success
Through this strategy, UIS seeks to provide new opportunities for students facing recurring academic challenges by promoting support mechanisms that contribute to their retention and successful graduation.
Students eligible to participate can consult their assigned group and schedule through the Academic Services module of the institutional system under the “Academic Support Course Consultation” option, where they will find detailed information regarding the subject, class day, schedule, and classroom location.
The implementation of these courses represents one of the University’s most significant recent actions aimed at strengthening students’ academic pathways and providing them with the tools necessary to overcome historically challenging subjects within their degree programs.
