EDUCATION: New schools and new MBA course

While Panama’s Ministry of Education continues to cull underperforming educational institutes, new education doors are being opened by  teaching center with proven academic  records.

 Adding to the recent opening of quality schools,  providing education from kindergarden through high school, like the Panama Pacifico Academy, (PPA) Kings College and the Boston School, comes the launch of of a new MBA program by the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas,  and will continue its entrepreneurship certificate program  it announced Monday.

The program is a collaborative effort between the UA, the Arkansas World Trade Center in Rogers and the Panamanian government. Started in October 2011, the certificate program teaches Panamanian entrepreneurs how to start a successful business.

"Developing such skills in local entrepreneurs can make a big difference to emerging economies such as those in Panama," said Vikas Anand, the interim MBA director for Walton College, in a news release. "Programs such as this certificate are a testimony to the expertise of our faculty."

Anand said Walton College faculty members have benefited from the program.

"Continuous exposure of our faculty members to students in countries such as Panama further increases their insights into how individuals think and transact business in different cultures, and this further augments the richness of their instruction here at the Walton College," he said.

Marion Dunagan, assistant dean for graduate programs at the Walton College, said some of the college's best faculty members are involved with the program, including Carol Reeves, associate vice provost for entrepreneurship and a professor of management in the business college.

Reeves said the caliber of the students in Panama far exceeded her expectations.

"Panama plays an important strategic role in the world’s economy, with the Panama Canal impacting shipping for many international companies," Dunagan said. "The experience Walton faculty gain by teaching in this environment is invaluable as we work toward the globalization of our curriculum in both graduate and undergraduate programs."