As part of the actions developed within the framework of the inter-institutional agreement between the Metropolitan University of Education, Science and Technology -UMECIT- and the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Panama (IMELCF), Dr. Magdy De Las Salas, Director of Research and Innovation at UMECIT, participated as a member of the judging panel of the IX National Scientific Poster Competition.

The activity took place on September 3, 2026, within the framework of the XVIII International Congress of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, organized by the IMELCF under the theme “Forensic Sciences 360°: Use of Artificial Intelligence Facing Challenges in the Administration of Justice.” The meeting provided an important forum for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and scientific advances related to legal medicine and forensic sciences.

UMECIT's participation in this activity takes place within the context of the cooperative relationships that both institutions have been strengthening, with the support of Mr. Abdiel Rentería, General Director of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, and Mr. Alexie Brenes Tejada, Secretary of Teaching, Research and Regulations of the IMELCF, who have contributed to promoting spaces for academic and scientific collaboration between both institutions.

During the competition, Dr. De Las Salas accompanied the evaluation process of the contributions presented in the categories of case reports and research papers, recognizing the effort of professionals and researchers to generate and disseminate relevant scientific knowledge for the strengthening of forensic sciences.

This collaboration responds to the spirit of the inter-institutional agreement signed between UMECIT and IMELCF, through which both institutions promote mutual support actions aimed at strengthening scientific research, training, academic exchange and the generation of spaces that favor the production, dissemination and appropriation of knowledge.

For UMECIT, the participation of its researchers and academic authorities in this type of scenario represents an opportunity to put its institutional capabilities at the service of other organizations and, at the same time, strengthen ties that allow the development of joint research initiatives and scientific cooperation.

The collaboration with the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences also contributes to expanding the scenarios for interdisciplinary exchange and bringing research closer to problems and challenges in the national context, favoring the construction of knowledge with relevance and potential impact.

In this way, UMECIT continues to consolidate its commitment to strengthening the Panamanian scientific ecosystem, promoting inter-institutional alliances that transcend the formalization of agreements and materialize in collaborative actions, exchange of capabilities and reciprocal support for the development of scientific research in the country.