The university’s senior leadership, faculty and Texas business leaders traveled to Panama City, Panama as part of the trade delegation team to develop a unique opportunity to change the original meaning of borders in a globalized world.

As the largest trading partner for Panama and the Canal’s expansion completed, Texas proves to benefit significantly with the increased international trade through the Canal in both imports and exports.  “With the expansion of the Panama Canal, the importance of Panama as a trading partner for the United States and Texas will continue to increase,” shared PVAMU Dean of the College of Business Dr. Munir Quddus.

Although Texas business leaders are interested in boosting trade, PVAMU representatives are interested in capturing high-impact learning experiences within the global environment with the collaboration of the City of Knowledge educational facility in Panama.

Establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) opens opportunities nurturing critical, innovative thinking in a multicultural environment. Since Panama is one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and its location is a major shipping route for the state, this becomes a win for both countries.

On behalf of President Ruth J. Simmons, PVAMU Chief Financial Officer Corey Bradford signed the preliminary MOU with a private University. He shared, “This is an opportunity for PVAMU to spread its brand across Central America.  Panama is viewed as the HUB for this region given their airport and shipping industry.”

The Trade Delegation is an annual event organized by Ambassador Enrique Sosa who serves as consul general of Panama and president of the US-Panama Business Council. The event gives guests a chance to learn more about doing business with the country and any other timely topic. This year PVAMU’s representation consisted of Chief Financial Officer Corey Bradford; Dean of the College of Business Munir Quddus; and Associate Director, and Department Head for the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences Kwaku Addo, who seek to enhance the trade relationship between the United States and Panama. Prairie View Mayor David Allen was instrumental in organizing the PVAMU’s participation in this visit.  A visit by a delegation from Panama to further the exchange and partnerships is expected in November 2018.

“This visit gave us the opportunity to learn more about the history, the economy and the agricultural sector of Panama. It also afforded us the opportunity to showcase our respective degree programs in particular and PVAMU in general. More importantly, the visit created avenues to recruit international students, and to facilitate faculty-student exchanges between PVAMU and colleges in Panama,” added Addo.

Author: Maurice Perkins