Coneaupa says that Four Panama Universities are Closing while Others Await Official Accreditation
In an interview, Coneaupa’s executive secretary, María del Carmen Terrientes de Benavides, explained the status of several universities in the country.
What is CONEAUPA? CONEAUPA is the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama. Amid growing concerns about the quality of higher education in Panama, four private universities are closing, while at least four others remain awaiting official accreditation, a prerequisite for continuing to operate legally in the country. Terrientes de Benavides explained that the delay in the official accreditation of these institutions is primarily due to the fact that the Council—the only body authorized to issue the final approval—has not been convened by the Ministry of Education (Meduca), the entity that presides over it.
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR UNIVERSITY EVALUATION AND ACCREDITATION OF PANAMA
The idea for creating the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama originated in the “Strategic Plan of the Council of Rectors of Panama, in 1999.” From that moment on, the importance of regulating the quality of academic offerings at the higher education level was clearly recognized. However, it was formally established by Law 30 of July 20, 2006.
It was in that same year that training activities began on the scope of the approved law and operating budget proposals were developed, among other actions. However, the first Council meeting was not held until February 8, 2007, according to the minutes. Initially, the agency operated out of the facilities of the Ministry of Education of Panama (MEDUCA), with a small number of operational staff, with the director of MEDUCA’s Third Level Education serving as its Executive Secretary.
The year 2010 became a year of important achievements. The first to highlight was the consensus reached regarding the Regulations of Law 30 that created CONEAUPA, which was formalized with the promulgation of Executive Decree 511 of July 5, 2010. At the same time, the necessary instruments were developed and the Council approved the dissemination of the first call for institutional evaluation for the purposes of accreditation in the country.
Learn More About CONEAUPA
How is the National Evaluation and Accreditation System structured to improve the quality of higher education?
The system is comprised of the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA), CONEAUPA, the Technical Oversight Commission (CTF), public universities and private universities authorized by executive decree, and, as advisory bodies, the Council of Rectors of Panama and the National Education Council.
The CTF is made up of the five (5) official universities of the country: University of Panama, Technological University of Panama, Autonomous University of Chiriquí, Specialized University of the Americas and the International Maritime University of Panama.
What is CONEAUPA? How is it composed? What is its main function?
CONEAUPA is the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama. It is the evaluating and accrediting body that governs the National Evaluation and Accreditation System for the Improvement of the Quality of Higher University Education.
CONEAUPA is made up of three (3) technical advisory committees: The Technical Committee for Evaluation and Accreditation, the Technical Committee for Administration and Finance, and the ad hoc Technical Committees.
Its main function is to promote a culture of assessment for continuous improvement in the quality of the country’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It publicly issues accreditation certificates for universities and programs that meet established quality standards.
CONEAUPA is Based on the Following Regulations:
a. Law 30 of July 20, 2006, which creates the National Evaluation and Accreditation System for the improvement of the quality of higher university education (GO No. 25,595).
b. Executive Decree No. 511 of July 5, 2010, regulating Law No. 30 of July 20, 2006, which creates the National Evaluation and Accreditation System for the improvement of the quality of higher university education and other provisions (GO No. 26,571).
c. Executive Decree No. 176 of March 30, 2011, amending Executive Decree 511 of July 5, 2010, which regulates Law 30 of July 20, 2006, and enacts other provisions (GO No. 26,754-C)
