What Happened
Student leaders at the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (Unachi) are demanding the temporary removal of rector Etelvina Medianero de Bonagas while investigations continue into alleged administrative irregularities at the public university in western Panama.
The Federation of Students of the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (FEUNACHI) said the move is necessary to protect the impartiality of the proceedings and help restore calm inside an institution that has been under growing public scrutiny. The student group also urged authorities to take steps that keep classes running so the academic year can be completed without further disruption.
In its statement, the federation argued that repeated allegations of administrative misconduct, poor transparency, and declining academic quality and services have damaged trust in the university. FEUNACHI said it speaks for more than 20,000 students, reflecting how deeply the controversy has affected the campus community.
Why the University Is Under Pressure
The call for the rector’s separation comes as Panamanian authorities intensify inquiries into possible administrative anomalies at Unachi. Last Friday, Prosecutor General Luis Carlos Gómez Rudy went to the university as part of an investigation tied to the validation of academic degrees held by teachers and administrative staff.
Those checks focus on diplomas issued by American Andragogy University and Atlantic International University. Investigators have identified about 110 professors who allegedly presented degrees from unaccredited institutions to obtain promotions and salary increases.
The case has added to long-running criticism over payroll costs and internal management at the university. Questions about salaries paid to some professors and officials have become a major point of debate, especially as the institution faces financial strain. With more than 2,000 employees across academic and administrative roles, Unachi’s monthly payroll reaches $5.8 million, a significant burden for the state university system.
What This Means for Panama
Unachi is one of Panama’s main public universities outside the capital, making instability there a regional issue for Chiriquí and for students who depend on it for higher education close to home. The dispute also touches broader national concerns about oversight in public institutions, degree verification, and the use of public funds.
For students, the immediate priority is keeping classrooms open and avoiding a prolonged academic interruption. For the university and the state, the broader challenge is restoring confidence in hiring, promotions, and financial administration at a time when public universities are under pressure to demonstrate transparency.
As the investigation advances, attention will remain on whether institutional leadership changes are ordered and how the university responds to preserve teaching operations while the legal and administrative reviews continue.
Background
Unachi has faced criticism before over internal governance and the cost of maintaining a large payroll. The latest complaints from students add social pressure to an already sensitive matter, especially because public universities play a central role in access to higher education in Panama’s western provinces.
The outcome of the investigations could influence not only the university’s leadership but also how Panamanians view accountability in public education. For many families in Chiriquí, the issue goes beyond campus politics: it affects academic continuity, the value of degrees, and confidence in the institution that serves thousands of students each year.