web1_vigil.jpg

In Focus: Phylicia’s memory still warm on a frigid night

web1_TTL021216govstem3.jpg

The future of the Keystone state, and of flying eggs

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; In the stately surroundings of Weckesser Hall, Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy and Panama Education Minister Marcela Paredes de V&#225;squez spoke Thursday of lofty goals from a new partnership: A bilingual Panama with more women trained in science; an exchange of students, studies and ideas.</p><p>Asked how she liked Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s winter weather, the minister from a country where the average temperature is 81 degrees smiled and laughed. &#8220;Oh, I think, it&#8217;s a little different from my country.</p><p>&#8220;When we were in Panama it was 90 degrees; I arrive here and it&#8217;s almost zero,&#8221; she continued, &#8220;but it&#8217;s nice.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know much Spanish,&#8221; Leahy chipped in, &#8220;but I think I know enough to say <em>hace muy frio</em>.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;That is true,&#8221; Paredes de V&#225;squez laughed.</p><p>Paredes de V&#225;squez came to Wilkes to continue a rapidly growing partnership between her country and the university first mentioned by Leahy during a Jan. 19 <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/505080/wilkes-president-explains-sordoni-art-sell-off-decision-reveals-other-initiatives" target="_blank">interview </a>with the Times Leader editorial board. He touched on a wide range of topics, including a trip to Atlanta where he signed an agreement with Panama&#8217;s vice president.</p><p>Leahy said 20 Panamanian teachers are already in town for eight weeks, and the goal is to host such visits three times a year. The teachers take advantage of the University&#8217;s Intensive English Learning program, which Leahy proudly noted received a 10-year accreditation from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation.</p><p>&#8220;Most programs only get five-year accreditation,&#8221; he said.</p><p>While Paredes de V&#225;squez already had some experience with below-freezing temperatures thanks to time spent earning a master&#8217;s in electrical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, she conceded that for many of the teachers visiting from her country &#8220;This was the first time they saw snow.&#8221;</p><p>In fact, for some of them it was likely the first time they left their home country, she added.</p><p>But far fewer Panamanian teachers will be able to say that in the near future. Paredes de V&#225;squez said the goal is to make Panama education &#8220;100 percent bilingual,&#8221; and that in pursuit of that goal the country has struck partnerships with &#8220;more than 25 universities&#8221; and is sending 10,000 teachers to schools in the United States, England and Canada.</p><p>&#8220;Panama is a small country,&#8221; she added. &#8220;That is nearly one-quarter of the total teacher population.&#8221;</p><p>Both officials said they are confident the opportunities will expand quickly from the partnership.</p><p>Visitors from Panama can take advantage of the university&#8217;s emphasis on STEM subjects of Science, Technology Engineering and Math, for one thing. They are also looking at the county-wide SHINE after-school program Wilkes helped set up. And the Women Empowered By Science program at Wilkes offers lessons in engaging young women in middle and high school in science subjects, another objective of the Panama Government.</p><p>Leahy said sending Wilkes students to Panama is also a goal, and Paredes de V&#225;squez championed the value of the idea by citing the expansion of Panama Canal, and the complex engineering in the project as well as the complex environmental science in making the canal operate properly.</p><p>Paredes de V&#225;squez said her country is improving rapidly &#8220;but there is still inequity in education,&#8221; and that the program will help fix that. The Panamanian government is covering the costs, she said.</p><p>&#8220;I believe an investment in people is a better way to improve society.&#8221;</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_TTL021216panamasign.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy and Panama Minister of Education Marcela Paredes de V&#225;squez shake hands after signing an agreement with Wilkes for educational partnership Thursday morning. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_TTL021216panamasign.jpg</photo0><caption0>Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy and Panama Minister of Education Marcela Paredes de V&#225;squez shake hands after signing an agreement with Wilkes for educational partnership Thursday morning. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Country, university will work together</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

From Panama to Wyoming Valley: Central American minister signs deal with Wilkes