What Happened
Panama’s university oversight system is under growing scrutiny after catedrático and presidential adviser Miguel Antonio Bernal asked Comptroller Anel Flores for a full audit of the funds managed by the Comisión Técnica de Desarrollo Académico (CTDA) of the Universidad de Panamá.
The request comes amid complaints about lengthy delays in the approval of new university programs and updates to study plans at private universities, along with a payment practice that has drawn criticism from the sector.
Why the CTDA Matters
The CTDA is responsible for reviewing, approving, and overseeing academic programs and curricula at private universities in Panama. The Universidad de Panamá holds the constitutional role of supervising private higher-education institutions in the country, with the aim of safeguarding academic quality, relevance, and the recognition of degrees and titles awarded.
That makes the CTDA a key gatekeeper for university expansion, especially in a country where the pace of academic approval can affect how quickly institutions respond to labor-market needs and new fields of study.
Complaints Over Delays and Charges
According to the Asociación de Universidades Particulares de Panamá (Auppa), the CTDA has failed to meet the legal 30-day deadline to respond to universities while collecting 50% of the processing fee in advance. Auppa says the approval process has stalled for periods ranging from one to three years.
José Nieto Rojas, president of Auppa, sent a letter to President José Raúl Mulino warning that the delays are creating uncertainty in the education sector and placing Panama at a disadvantage compared with other Latin American countries.
Bernal said the situation calls for an exhaustive investigation that should involve not only the Comptroller’s Office but also the Ministry of Education and, if appropriate, the Public Ministry. He argued that the CTDA is effectively limiting the approval of new careers, a bottleneck that directly affects the country’s academic development.
Broader Education Impact
The CTDA is chaired by Eduardo Flores Castro, rector of the Universidad de Panamá, and its executive secretary is Myrna McLaughlin. The criticism centers on whether the body is handling its responsibilities in a timely and transparent manner, especially as private universities seek to launch new programs and modernize existing ones.
For universities, delayed approvals can mean fewer options for students, slower institutional growth, and missed opportunities to align training with national demand. For students, the effects can be felt in the availability of degree programs and in the pace at which universities can adapt to changing professional fields.
Possible Government Response
At the same time, the Ministry of Education is considering separating and investigating the executive secretary of the Consejo Nacional de Evaluación y Acreditación Universitaria de Panamá (Coneaupa). Together, the measures point to mounting pressure on the institutions responsible for university evaluation and accreditation in Panama.
The controversy adds to a broader debate over how to make higher education oversight more efficient while preserving academic standards. For now, the focus is on whether the audit and any parallel investigations will clarify how the CTDA handles funds, deadlines, and approval procedures.