Arizona State University (ASU) and the Government of Panama today announced a landmark partnership to propel collaborative efforts in advanced technology and fortify scientific and educational collaborations between Panama and the United States.
Signed by ASU President Michael M. Crow and Ramón E. Martínez de la Guardia, the ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the United States representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) follows a July announcement by the State Department and Panama to create a more resilient, secure and sustainable global semiconductor supply chain.
The agreement between America’s most innovative university and Panama accelerates progress in developing substantial partnership opportunities for both parties and sets the stage to support Panama’s aspirations to develop an advanced technology and microelectronics sector through public-private partnerships.
“The semiconductor, cybersecurity and emerging technology industries are driving the economy of the future,” the ambassador said. “With this agreement with Arizona State University, Panama is better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities these sectors offer. We are convinced we found the right partner in ASU and look forward to advancing impactful initiatives together,”
ASU earlier this month hosted Ambassador Martinez and a delegation of Panamanian universities, industry and government officials to meet with ASU leaders, faculty and local Arizona semiconductor industry and government representatives. Participants exchanged information and discussed areas of collaborations in advanced technology development and research, economic development and partnerships, and workforce development. The meetings led to this agreement.
“This underscores the shared commitment of the Government of Panama and Arizona State University to propel innovation, spur economic development and cultivate a highly skilled workforce in critical areas of advanced technology to support our national goal of diversifying a secure semiconductor supply chain to the Americas,” Crow said. “The university is already doing a lot of work to be a resource to industry, and this is one more important step.”
The MOU serves as a strategic framework, intending to establish a cooperation mechanism that facilitates opportunities between ASU and various Panamanian entities. These entities include governmental bodies, academic institutions, economic development organizations, and private sector stakeholders. The focus of this collaboration centers on critical areas such as semiconductors, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and disciplines relevant to the supply chain.
