The Metropolitan University of Education, Science and Technology -UMECIT- and the Ministry of Women signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement with the purpose of strengthening inter-institutional ties and promoting joint initiatives in areas of common interest, for the benefit of training, equal opportunities and social development.

The ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Niurka Palacio, Minister of Women; Dr. José Alberto Nieto Rojas, Rector of UMECIT; and Yeltiza González, Director of University Extension. This gathering represents an opportunity to coordinate efforts, strengthen collaboration, and promote impactful initiatives for women and Panamanian society.

Institutional commitment to gender equality

As part of this commitment, the Directorate of Extension and Community Engagement, together with the Directorate of Postgraduate and Master's Degrees of UMECIT, is currently working on the design of the Gender Equality Policy, an initiative aimed at strengthening an institutional culture based on respect, inclusion, equity and equal opportunities.

This work is linked to other initiatives that the university promotes to recognize the contributions of women in different areas of society. Among these is the Cecilia Rojas de Nieto Award, a recognition that UMECIT grants annually to highlight the leadership, resilience, and social impact of women in the academic community and Panamanian society.

The award includes categories such as Administrative Woman, Teaching Woman, Graduate Woman, Entrepreneurial Woman, Student Woman, and Professional Woman of the Year. As part of these activities recognizing female leadership, UMECIT has extended invitations to the Ministry of Women, with the aim of strengthening spaces for participation and institutional cooperation.

Training and professional development

In the area of continuing education, UMECIT promotes opportunities for professional development and skills enhancement. Recently, through the Continuing Education Coordination, a training course in Professional Announcing and Political Communication was held, aimed at strengthening knowledge and skills in these areas.

This initiative is part of the institutional efforts to offer training opportunities linked to the current needs of society and professional development.

Next steps for the prevention of violence against women

As part of this alliance, UMECIT plans to continue promoting awareness and collaboration with the Ministry of Women. Among the upcoming activities is an event in November, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, commemorated every November 25th.

This date provides an opportunity to reinforce the importance of violence prevention, the promotion of respect for women's rights, and the building of safe, equitable, and violence-free environments.

An alliance to create opportunities

The signing of the Framework Cooperation Agreement represents an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between UMECIT and the Ministry of Women, as well as to develop joint initiatives related to gender equality, training, awareness and social welfare.

With this alliance, UMECIT reaffirms its commitment to inter-institutional cooperation, social responsibility and the articulation of efforts that contribute to human development and the construction of a more just and inclusive society.