What Happened
The Universidad de Panamá has formally approved the issuance of diplomas and academic certificates in electronic format through Resolution No. 7-26-SGP, adopted by the Academic Council on March 4, 2026. The measure, published after the council vote, authorizes that degrees, certifications and other academic documents be issued digitally or electronically.
Implementation and Technology
The university says the digital issuance will be supported by the Sistema de Revisión y Emisión de Diplomas Electrónicos (SIREDE), developed by the Dirección de Tecnología de la Información y Comunicación (DITIC). The project (also referred to in university communications as SIREDES) included development of several complementary systems to ensure proper operation.
Mgter. Saulo Aizprúa, director of DITIC, explained that the effort required separate systems for electronic signature use and for a document repository. “Se tuvo que desarrollar un sistema para la utilización de la firma electrónica y otro de repositorio, donde se almacenarán todos los documentos generados, los cuales podrán ser consultados desde otras plataformas,” he said, describing how generated documents will be stored and made consultable from other platforms.
Legal and Environmental Impact
The resolution establishes that digital diplomas will have full legal validity, equivalent to traditional paper documents. The university highlights that online verification and improved document authenticity are among the intended benefits, with measures intended to protect against forgery.
University leaders also pointed to an environmental benefit: digitization is expected to significantly reduce paper use and other supplies associated with printing physical diplomas, promoting more sustainable institutional practices.
Leadership and Institutional Context
The approval was signed by Rector Eduardo Flores Castro and Secretary General Ricardo A. Parker D., signaling institutional backing for a modernization process the university says aligns with global trends in higher education and advances in information technology.
What This Means
For graduates, the change promises faster issuance, online access and easier verification of credentials. For the university, moving diploma processes into an integrated digital platform aims to streamline administrative workflows and strengthen document security. The measure places the Universidad de Panamá on a path toward broader digital transformation of academic services, while emphasizing legal equivalence and sustainability as core goals.