UMECIT participated in the Program for the Strengthening of Scientific Journals of the Universities of Panama

In an event that marked a before and after for the academic and scientific community of the country, an important event was held today that presented the results of the Program for the Strengthening of Scientific Journals of the Universities of Panama.  This program, funded by the National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT) through Cooperation Agreement No. 58, has been a key element in raising the quality and visibility of scientific publications in the country over the past two years.

The program, implemented between 2022 and 2024, has had the active participation of member universities of the Council of Rectors of Panama (CRP), and has involved more than 850 people in eight activities, including six virtual workshops. This joint effort has made it possible to address key areas for the development of the country's scientific journals, involving editors, managers, technical support staff, advisors and evaluators.

Representing Dr. Eduardo Ortega, National Secretary of SENACYT, Dr. Robinson Zapata-Pino, head of the Department of Scientific and Technological Information of SENACYT, highlighted in his speech the importance of this program as a crucial initiative not only for academic excellence, but also to expand the visibility of Panamanian research in the international arena.

The rector of the Universidad Santa María la Antigua (USMA), Dr. Francisco Blanco, member of the CRP board of directors, stressed the importance of collaboration between various institutions to ensure that the advances achieved in the program have a lasting impact. For his part, Danny Murillo, Coordinator of the Panama Journal Strengthening Program and of the CRP Research Commission, emphasized the need to continue organizing workshops and training courses in editorial management, as well as in the use of the Open Journal System (OJS) and the implementation of new visibility strategies.

Representing our University, we were accompanied by the Vice-Rector for Projects, Dr. Santiago Nieto Rojas, together with the Director of Research, Dr. Magdy De Las Salas and the Master's degree holder Amelia Sarco, Master's Coordinator 

The event, which was attended by rectors, vice-rectors for research, editors and managers of scientific journals, culminated with a cultural presentation by the prestigious Folkloric Ballet "Costumbres y Tradiciones" of the USMA, closing with a flourish a day that reaffirmed the commitment of Panamanian institutions to the development and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Looking to the future, participants agreed on the importance of continuing to support and expand these initiatives so that Panama's scientific journals not only maintain the standards achieved, but also continue to evolve and face new challenges and opportunities.