Rector José Alberto Nieto Rojas hands over the Presidency of AUPPA at an international panel on employability and continuing education

 The Association of Private Universities of Panama (AUPPA) held the panel “Ministerial Dialogue on Employability and Lifelong Learning: achievements, challenges and lessons learned in Latin America”, an academic-institutional space that brought together rectors who are members of the Association, government authorities and representatives of the productive sector, with the objective of reflecting and exchanging experiences on the progress, challenges and good practices in the area of employability, continuing training and lifelong education.

The panel featured the participation of Lucy Molinar, Minister of Education of Panama; Congressman Jorge Bloise, President of the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee of the National Assembly of Panama; and representatives from organizations that comprise the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP). International participants included Gilda Natalia Alcívar García, Minister of Education, Sports, and Culture of the Republic of Ecuador; Carolina Estefanía Peláez Vélez, Ministerial Advisor; and José Ramón Holguín, President of ARCA and representative of the Minister of Education of the Dominican Republic.

During the meeting, strategic issues for the sustainable development and competitiveness of Latin American countries were addressed, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the education sector, the State and private enterprise to strengthen employability and lifelong learning.

Within the framework of this event, the Rector of UMECIT, Dr. José Alberto Nieto Rojas, officially handed over the Presidency of AUPPA, giving way to the installation of the new Board of Directors for the period 2026–2027, chaired by Master Juan Pablo Cardozo, reaffirming the Association's commitment to academic excellence, inter-university cooperation and regional integration.