Reacreditación UMECIT

At UMECIT, we are proud to comply with the quality requirements and standards established by Panamanian legislation on higher education. Law 52 of 2015 constitutes the fundamental regulatory framework for the accreditation and reaccreditation of educational programs, careers and processes. This framework is complemented by what is established in Resolution 723 AL of March 21, 2022, which approved the sole text of Decree 539 of August 30, 2018, content that regulates its provisions.

A legacy of quality

In 2012, in compliance with Law 30 of 2006, the university underwent the institutional accreditation process, obtaining certification through Resolution 15 of October 31, 2012, for six years, said resolution was extended by Resolution 01 of January 17, 2018 issued by the National Council for Evaluation and University Accreditation of Panama (CONEAUPA).

In 2017, in compliance with Law 52, we began the accreditation processes for courses, starting with the Bachelor's Degree in General Psychology. This effort was rewarded with the successful accreditation of the course for a period of six years.

After this time, on July 19, 2023, we carried out the reaccreditation process for the Bachelor's Degree in General Psychology. With the visit of the peer evaluators, we successfully completed this process and obtained the certification of reaccreditation of the degree.

A legacy of quality

This day marked a historic moment for our institution. The National Council for Evaluation and University Accreditation (CONEAUPA), led by Dr. María del Carmen Terrientes de Benavides and in the presence of the Academic Vice Minister of Education, granted Resolution #33, officially reaccrediting our Bachelor's Degree in General Psychology with the highest grade. This achievement ensures the accreditation of the degree for six additional years, reaffirming our academic excellence.

The accreditation process for university courses in Panama continued, including flagship programs of our Faculty of Health Sciences. This allowed us to begin the accreditation processes for the Bachelor's Degrees in Physiotherapy and Occupational Health and Safety.

On June 28, 2024, the official ceremony for the delivery of the Accreditation and Reaccreditation Certificates of courses was held at the Higher Office of the Ministry of Education. This event was attended by CONEAUPA authorities, who delivered the corresponding certifications:

Reaccreditation of the Bachelor's Degree in General Psychology
Accreditation of Bachelor's Degrees in Physiotherapy and Occupational Health and Safety

All courses were accredited for a maximum period of six years, highlighting their compliance with the highest standards of educational quality.

At UMECIT, we continue to work to guarantee an excellent education that benefits our students and Panamanian society. The reaccreditation and accreditation of our programs are a reflection of our constant effort for innovation, progress and academic quality.

On February 19, 2024, in accordance with Resolution No. 39 of December 13, 2023, our Rector signed a commitment agreement to accredit the Social Sciences programs, which correspond to the Bachelor's Degrees in Law and Political Sciences and Criminology and Forensic Sciences.

It is the public and temporary recognition of institutions, careers, which have demonstrated the achievement of the quality standards established by CONEAUPA in the respective Accreditation Model, according to Law 52, of June 26, 2015. Chap. I.Art.4. 10 and regulated by Executive Decree No. 539 of August 30, 2018, by which the National System of Evaluation and Accreditation for the improvement of the quality of university higher education in Panama is created. The accreditation model corresponds to a series of standard criteria that allow organizations to measure the quality of their services or products, and their performance against nationally or internationally recognized standards.

It consists of the renewal of institutional accreditation of careers or programs issued by the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama -CONEAUPA- at the end of their term. It is the guarantee of the verification carried out, after a period of time, by academic peers on the quality of the programs of an institution, its organization, operation and compliance with its social work. Renewal of accreditation at the end of the term of the institutional accreditation of careers or programs prior to compliance with the proposed improvement plan. (Law 52, of June 26, 2015. Chap. I.Art.4. . 10).

*On September 17, 2021, UMECIT delivers the self-assessment report for reaccreditation purposes, to participate in the call made by CONEAUPA, in compliance with Resolution number 06 of January 28, 2021, published in the Official Gazette, 29357- B on August 20, 2021

Phase 1:

Self appraisal

Self-evaluation is the process by which each university assumes the responsibility of evaluating the institution as a whole to prepare a final report that includes achievements and critical aspects of its operation. This is done in order to prepare improvement plans, taking as a reference the mission and vision statement, the institutional objectives, as well as the criteria and quality indicators approved by CONEAUPA. It is necessary that the self-assessment be a participatory process and proposed as a way to achieve the professional development of the members of the institution and the autonomy that it reaches, by achieving the levels of quality desired by its members.

*Source CONEAUPA

The external evaluation is a verification process carried out by a group of independent specialists called external peers, where they analyze the institutional self-assessment report, with a view to highlighting specific aspects subject to observation during the visit. Compliance with the indicators and standards established in CONEAUPA's self-assessment model, for the granting of the corresponding accreditation. The peers must provide an external, substantiated and independent opinion about the quality of education.

*Source CONEAUPA

Phase 2:

External Evaluation

Phase 3:

Accreditation and Reaccreditation

Reaccreditation is a public recognition that is directly related to compliance with the requirements of the Panama Institutional University Evaluation and Accreditation Model. The importance of the accreditation model lies in the fact that it is a process to ensure the high level of quality in higher education and works as a public recognition towards the institutions that carry out good training practices. However, it is important to keep in mind that accreditation is not only an opportunity to obtain recognition by the State of the quality of an institution or a program, it is also an opportunity to compare the training that is provided from the perspective of academic peers, who validate the quality standards of an institution.

Benefits:

1. Ensure an external evaluation in accordance with the expectations of society.

2. Undertake voluntary actions to improve quality.

3. An update of the programs that adapt to the changes that occur.

4. A reduced need for public control.

For the students:

5. Ensure that the programs are satisfactory and meet the needs of the students.

6. Make it possible to transfer credits, and be accepted in more advanced programs.

7. It is a normal prerequisite to enter a profession and become a member of a professional association, which does not depend on the incorporation exams of each graduate, but on processes that are a letter of introduction to the career or program.

For higher education institutions, the accreditation process also has advantages:

8. Stimulate the realization of a self-assessment to improve the system.

9. The improvement of the institution following the recommendations of the accrediting agencies or bodies.

10. Being able to apply improvement criteria that are external.

11. A better reputation.

12. Access to financial aid for their students.

Professions also benefit from an accreditation process:

13. They define the preparation requirements to enter a profession.

14. They integrate the profession, getting professionals, professors, and students to collaborate”.

*Ibero-American Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education -RIACES-

Reaccreditation Process 2022

Socialization and Validation of the report with the University Community

Visits to headquarters by UMECIT authorities
Matrix disclosure talks with the University Community.
Finding writing workshops.
Preparation, validation and application of surveys
Sensitization and Validation of the Self-assessment report.

Wide academic offer.
Curriculum and relevance to social needs.
Linkage with the environment, based on national and international agreements.
Development of Investigations with correspondence to the lines of investigation.
Dissemination of results of research projects.
Knowledge transfer in the development of teaching in connection with Extension.
Linkage with Graduates.

"Committed to the creation of a better society, the development and growth of the country and an egalitarian education, the Metropolitan University of Education, Science and Technology - UMECIT - works every day in the construction of a solid foundation that results in providing society with integral, capable and multidisciplinary professionals who have the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure equity, welfare and recognition as leaders in nation building."