Panama City, Panama – The University of Panama celebrated the graduation of 91 new professionals in music, visual arts, dance, and theater on Friday. The ceremony took place at the Domo de Curundú venue. University officials highlighted the launch of seven new postgraduate programs, including a doctorate, as a major milestone for the Faculty of Fine Arts.
This academic expansion reactivates advanced study offerings after more than a decade without new programs. The graduates now join a legacy of over 359,000 alumni the institution has produced in its 90-year history. The event drew faculty, family members, and university leaders to celebrate the new artists and educators.
New Postgraduate Programs Signal Renewed Focus
Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Jorge F. Jované R., said the graduates completed training aimed at developing arts and culture. They now possess skills for artistic creation, education, and cultural management. Jované emphasized that these advances are part of a consolidation phase for the faculty.
“These advances are part of a stage of academic consolidation that seeks to expand opportunities for specialized training in the artistic field,” said Jované. [Translated from Spanish]
He stressed the essential role of the arts in society during his speech. “The world is not sustained by numbers and alphabets alone,” Jované stated. “It needs music that heals, theater that moves, dance that liberates, and visual art that reminds us who we are.” [Translated from Spanish]
The dean added that launching new postgraduate programs represents a significant step. It strengthens higher education in the arts and responds to Panama’s cultural sector needs. This move aligns with trends across Central American higher education institutions expanding specialized offerings.
Top Graduate Delivers Emotional Speech on Artistic Perseverance
One of the ceremony’s most moving moments came from Hugo V. Rodríguez. He earned first honors in the Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialization in Theatrical Arts. Rodríguez shared a personal reflection on challenges artists face.
He recalled hearing comments questioning the viability of an artistic career for years. That doubt led him to postpone university enrollment for two decades. Rodríguez said he never abandoned his theatrical vocation, dedicating 23 years of consistent work to it.
“Today I can look at that Hugo from the past and tell him: relax, I’ve settled the account. It’s never too late to go after what you love,” Rodríguez told graduates, family, and authorities. [Translated from Spanish]
He urged his fellow graduates to keep creating and defending their spaces in culture. “Let’s go on stage, let’s go create and show that not only can we live from this, but we live with a full soul,” he affirmed. [Translated from Spanish]
Other honors went to William G. Rodríguez K., who earned second place in Music, and Yamil J. Salomón Mujica, who took third place in Theatrical Arts. Their achievements reflect the faculty’s commitment to excellence across disciplines.
University Leaders Celebrate Institutional Legacy
Vice-Rector of Extension Ricardo Him Chi represented University of Panama Rector Eduardo Flores Castro at the event. Him Chi congratulated the new professionals and noted their place in the institution’s history. He said the university has now contributed over 359,000 graduates to national development.
“The University of Panama not only trains and graduates professionals,” Him Chi stated. “It also transforms lives and builds futures.” [Translated from Spanish]
The graduation marks a new chapter for the Faculty of Fine Arts. With expanded postgraduate offerings and a new generation of artists, the institution aims to strengthen Panama’s cultural landscape for years to come. The Panama City campus continues to serve as a hub for artistic education and creative development in the region.