Our House of Studies encourages active participation in elections

Convinced that citizen participation is essential for building a better country, the Metropolitan University of Education, Science and Technology organized a space for dialogue between the student, teaching and administrative community, and some of the candidates for the next electoral elections.

UMECIT opened the doors to invite all candidates in the country to participate in these conversations. Those candidates who wanted to participate approached and asked to speak with our students, and our House of Studies was willing to listen to everyone.

Martín Torrijos and Ricardo Lombana, candidates for the presidency, along with José Isabel Blandón, candidate for the vice presidency, had the opportunity to share their perspectives on fundamental issues such as education, youth, transparency, inclusion, security, the Panama Canal, and the equality, among others.

Our House of Studies recognizes the power of Panamanian youth in these elections and the importance of their informed participation. Therefore, these events were crucial to learn first-hand about the candidates' proposals and in a gesture of openness and commitment to democracy, he received the candidates José Blandón and Martín Torrijos at the Fundadores headquarters in Panama and the candidate Ricardo Lombana at the Chitré headquarters.

During these meetings, the candidates addressed various issues of national interest, highlighting the importance of education as a driver of social and economic transformation. From the need to improve educational quality to the promotion of bilingualism as a development tool, concrete proposals were made to face the challenges of the Panamanian educational system.

Youth was a recurring theme in the discussions, with a special emphasis on retaining national talent and creating opportunities for young people. The candidates shared their visions on how to encourage entrepreneurship and youth employment, as well as the importance of a comprehensive education that prepares young people for the challenges of the 21st century.

In addition, crucial issues such as social security, gender equality and sustainable development were addressed. The candidates presented their proposals to face these challenges, emphasizing the need for committed and visionary leadership.

The rector of our House of Studies, José Alberto Nieto Rojas, expressed that one of the goals of the University is to ensure that young people are well informed and actively participate in the elections. In addition, he highlighted the collaboration of UMECIT with other institutions in projects such as the "Young Vote" to train young people and encourage their participation in electoral processes.

Candidate José Isabel Blandón noted the importance of addressing crucial challenges in Panama, such as education, technology and equal access. He highlighted the need to invest in the continuous training of teachers and improve educational infrastructure to ensure that young people complete their studies. In addition, he mentioned the importance of closing the technological gap in education and providing Internet access in schools.

For his part, candidate Martín Torrijos addressed several important issues, such as inequality in the country and the need to close the technological gap in education. He highlighted the importance of identifying plans to improve access to technology in schools, ensuring they have access to the Internet and drinking water. He also highlighted the importance of leadership to lead the way towards a more equitable country with greater opportunities for all.

In turn, candidate Lombana began his speech by talking about Clara González, the first woman lawyer at a historical moment in which it was not common for women to practice that profession. Then, he emphasized the importance of critical thinking at the university to question the country's situations and not passively accept them. He also mentioned the need to generate policies that motivate young talent to stay in the country and addressed issues such as unemployment and the water crisis.

At UMECIT, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting an informed and active citizenry. We will continue to be a space for dialogue and reflection, where the academic community can participate in the construction of a more just, prosperous and equitable Panama.

Our university is committed to the well-being and progress of Panama. Together we can build a better future for everyone!