The University of Panama confirmed Saturday that the Panama university reopening will commence Monday, October 19, with a staggered return to in-person classes across select faculties. The decision follows structural inspections of campus facilities and a review of conditions affecting students, particularly those at regional centers impacted by the October 9 earthquake.
Rector Dr. José Emilio Moreno authorized the move after coordinating with deans and regional directors. The university aims to guarantee an orderly and safe reincorporation to academic activities while acknowledging the material losses suffered by many families in recent days.
Faculties Returning to Campus First
Students from 13 faculties will resume classroom instruction on Monday. These include Nursing, Medicine, Psychology, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Fine Arts, Engineering, Architecture, Electronic Informatics and Communication, Economics, Public Administration, and Education.
All remaining faculties will continue operating remotely for now. University officials said those programs will receive prior notice before being called back to physical classrooms. The cafeteria service remains subject to approvals from competent authorities and will not immediately resume normal operations.
Regional Centers Given Local Decision Authority
For the university’s regional centers, each director holds the authority to determine reopening timelines based on local realities. This flexibility extends to university extensions and annexed programs, provided decisions are made in coordination with academic authorities.
The decentralized approach reflects the uneven damage caused by the recent earthquake across different parts of the country. Some regional facilities may require additional repairs or logistical adjustments before students can safely return.
Flexibility and Solidarity During Recovery
University leadership has urged faculty members to maintain flexible standards for students affected by the emergency, especially those who lost property or suffered other hardships. The institution recognized ongoing solidarity efforts led by students, professors, and administrative staff who organized food drives and collected essential supplies for impacted families.
“The University of Panama reaffirms its commitment to the continuity of the educational process and to the integral well-being of its students, faculty, and administrative personnel, promoting responsible and supportive actions for the benefit of the entire university community” [Translated from Spanish]
The rector’s office called on the university community to continue backing these social support initiatives, emphasizing that solidarity and empathy remain fundamental values as the country navigates its recovery. The phased reopening strategy balances academic continuity with the practical challenges facing students and staff in the earthquake’s aftermath.