Panama is a country with potential for economic growth. Its higher education system is internationally considered the second most problematic.A stronger focus on quality , access and resources are key to a competitive higher educational system in order to support the Panamanian economic growth

Gonzalez, Gustavo Jose Santamaria

English

Syracuse University Research Facility and Collaborative Environment

How to Improve Higher Education in Panama• A recent article from “Panama America” newspaperstates that only 42% of enrolled students graduatefrom Universities; the rest drop out (Diaz, 2019)Panama is a country with potential for economic growth. Its higher education system is internationallyconsidered the second most problematic source for doing business with the country (World EconomicForum, 2014-2015) due to these main factors:Source: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/26489• According to the World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Report 2014/2015 Panama ranks 83rd out of 144 for the quality of its educational system (World Economic Forum, 2014-2015) Source: file://hd.ad.syr.edu/01/cbf34b/Documents/Downloads/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2014-15.pdf Source: https://en.actualitix.com/country/pan/panama-population-below-poverty-line.php• Inequality in higher education is also related to economic resources. Freire, Nunez and Tejeiro (2012) explained how education in disadvantaged regions does not take poor students interests into account and provide them with inexpert educators (Freire Seoane, Nunez Flores, & TejeiroAlvarez, 2012). Conclusion: A stronger focus on quality, access and resources are key to a competitive higher educational system in order to support the Panamanian economic growth. Recommendations:• Implementing new accreditation parameters to include studentsassociations, teaching quality and research (Ferreyra, Avitabile, Botero Alvarez, Haimovich Paz, & Urzua, 2017 ).• Reaching the budget percentage recommended by UNESCO to make an investment for modifying the current educational model (Herrera, Torres-Lista, & Montenegro, 2018)• Providing access to higher education in terms of diversity, quality and resources (Ferreyra, Avitabile, Botero Alvarez, Haimovich Paz, & Urzua, 2017 ). Alarming Numbers Poor Quality System Lack of Equal AccessReferences: Diaz, D. (2019, February 24). Menos de la Mitad de Estudiantes que ingresan a Universidades se graduan entre 25 y 29 anos. Panama America. Retrieved from https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/economia/menos-de-la-mitad-de-estudiantes-que-ingresan-universidades-se-graduan-entre-25-y-29-anos Ferreyra, M. M., Avitabile, C., Botero Alvarez, J., Haimovich Paz, F., & Urzua, S. (2017 ). At a Crossroads: Higher Education in Latin American and the Caribbean. Washington DC: World Bank. Retrieved August 02, 2019, from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/26489Freire Seoane, M. J., Nunez Flores, M., & Tejeiro Alvarez, M. (2012, September). La educacion en Panama. Estado de la cuestion . Scielo , XXXIV(138). Retrieved July 30, 2019Gacel Avila, J. (2017, September 1). The Process of Internationalization of Latin American Higher Education. Journal of Studies in International Education, 11(3-4), 400-409. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1028315307303921Herrera, L. C., Torres-Lista, V., & Montenegro, M. (2018, June 18). Analysis of the State Budget for Education of the Republic of Panama from 1990 to 2017. International Education Studies, XI(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v11n7p71 Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo. (2016). INEC Panama. (Contraloria General de la Republica) Retrieved July 30, 2019, from A Governmental Website: https://www.contraloria.gob.pa/inec/Publicaciones/Publicaciones.aspx?ID_SUBCATEGORIA=41&ID_PUBLICACION=937&ID_IDIOMA=1&ID_CATEGORIA=6World Economic Forum. (2014-2015). The Global Competitiveness Report. Insight Report, Geneva. Retrieved 08 02, 2019, from file://hd.ad.syr.edu/01/cbf34b/Documents/Downloads/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2014-15.pdf Gustavo Jose Santamaria Gonzalez-Syracuse University

How to Improve Higher Education in Panama

https://surface.syr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&amp;context=eli

How to Improve Higher Education in Panama

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