Panamanian Start-ups that Propel Research and Higher Learning

Abstract

The Republic of Panama can boast of a steadily rising GDP with among the highest economic growth rates in the region, an expanding international services sector, robust financial and banking systems, and relative political stability and citizen security. Unfortunately, none of these advantages has led to strong education system or an extensive research and development agenda. In both education and research, Panama ranks among the lowest in the region. Nevertheless, certain initiatives advanced over the past decade show promise for shifting this tendency, at least in certain sectors.This paper explores several of these endeavors, all of whichinvolve strong international components with regard to partnerships, knowledge transfersand collaborative programming that serve to contribute to these programs' sustainability, performance in line with globally established standards, and role in national capacity development. These innovative initiatives are the following: 1) INDICASAT, a public-private institute for scientific research and high technology services that concentrates on biomedical study; 2) the ProEd Foundation, a local non-governmental organization that has developed and implemented the only international standard driven K-12 teacher training program recognized by the Ministry of Education; 3) the University of South Florida Health Panama program at the City of Knowledge that develops regionalcourses and international research in areas related to public health and education; 4) the Panamanian Association for Anthropology and History, a young academic association that is driving and promoting research in the social sciences; and 5) CIEdu, a newconcept currently being developed for a national, autonomous Center for Education Research.The paper concludes with recommendations for supporting these types of research-driven start-ups and expanding their collaborative potential. It also highlights how Panama’s City of Knowledge, an international education free-zone, is uniquely positioned to propel these higher learning initiatives for the country and the region.Keywords:Scientific Research, Higher Education, Startups, Innovation, City of Knowledge, Panamá.IntroductionThe Republic of Panama is a land of contrasts, in ways that are both positive and negative. One of the sharpest and most paradoxical of its negative disparities is the fact that over the past several decades Panama has had one of the highest economic growth rates in Latin America, alongside one of the weakest education systems in the region. Panama enjoys a steadily rising GDP, an expanding international services sector, robust financial and banking systems, relative political stability, and strong citizen security. But none of these national advantages has led to a world-class education system or robust research and development agenda. Without strong fundamentals in education and research, Panama’s upwardly inclined economic trajectory would seem to be threatened.