Panama: Whether one must be a Panamanian citizen to attend university (2002-November 2004)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 22 November 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAN43161.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Panama: Whether one must be a Panamanian citizen to attend university (2002-November 2004), 22 November 2004, PAN43161.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df615cb.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Under the terms of Article 90 of the country's constitution, educational establishments are open to all students, regardless of race, social position, political beliefs, religion or nature of one's parents' relationship (Panama 11 Oct. 1972). Immigration legislation provides for the issuance of a temporary visitor's visa (permiso de vistante temporal) to foreigners enrolled in an educational institution recognized by the ministry of education (ibid. 30 June 1960, Art. 1; Art. 41).
In an undated overview of the Panamanian higher education system, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-based International Association of Universities (IAU) indicated that foreign students may be admitted to university in Panama provided that they have a "good knowledge of Spanish," comply with entry regulations and "hold a Secondary School Leaving Certificate or the title of Maestro de Enseñanza primaria and follow a course" (n.d.). On its Website, the University of Panama (Universidad de Panamá) outlines the procedure governing the admission of foreign students, which includes the submission of an application letter along with various supporting documents (Universidad de Panamá n.d.). The names of successful candidates are forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Directorate (Dirección de Migración) of the Ministry of Interior and Justice for visa processing (ibid.).
Several media reports refer to foreigners' enrolment in Panamanian universities (El Panamá América 3 Aug. 2004; ibid. 12 Feb. 2004; ibid. 26 June 2004; Crítica 8 May 2004), including an article published by El Panamá América on 3 August 2004 which states that 190 foreigners were studying at the Technological University of Panama (Universidad Tecnologicá de Panamá, UTP). The UTP had a total enrolment of approximately 17,000 students during the first semester of 2003 (UTP n.d.). On 26 June 2003, El Panamá América cited an Immigration Directorate official as saying that in order to prevent foreigners from taking advantage of the low cost of public education, entitlement to student visas for individuals wishing to study at public universities would be granted only to citizens of countries that are party to a reciprocal agreement with Panama, which governs the levying of student fees. However, visas would continue to be granted as before to individuals wishing to study at a private university (ibid. 26 June 2004).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Crítica [Panama City]. 8 May 2004. "Oposición por aumento de matricula a extranjeros."
International Association of Universities (IAU), Paris. n.d. "Panama: Education System."
Panama. 11 October 1972. La constitución política de la República de Panamá.
_____. . 30 June 1960. Decreto ley no 16 de 30 de junio de 1960 sobre migración. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Website.
El Panamá América [Panama City]. 3 August 2004. Grisel Bethancourt. "UTP aumenta matrícula para los extranjeros."
_____. . 26 June 2004. Gustavo A. Aparicio. "Deportarán a extranjeros que incumplen las leyes."
_____. . 12 February 2004. Gustavo A. Aparicio. "Universidad no aumenta la matrícula."
Universidad de Panamá, Panama City. n.d. "Extranjeros."
Universidad Tecnologicá de Panamá (UTP), Panama City. n.d. "Our Contribution."
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral source: Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Ministry of Education.
Internet sites, including: Crítica [Panama City], Ministerio de Educación, El Panamá América [Panama City], La Prensa [Panama City], El Siglo [Panama City].
