Panamanian president signs historic agreement at UT Health Science Center at Houston

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HOUSTON - (Oct. 30, 2009) - His Excellency Ricardo Alberto Martinelli - the President of the Republic of Panama - showed his support for a new cooperation agreement between The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Panama by traveling to the Space City for the signing ceremony.

President Martinelli likened his appearance in Houston to U.S. President Barack Obama traveling to a faraway nation to sign a similar type of pact. "This event means a lot to both of us," President Martinelli said. The ceremony was Oct. 27 in the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building in the Texas Medical Center.

President Martinelli said that as a result of the agreement "a lot of Panamanian doctors and students will be able to share the knowledge you have." He added that the agreement could save lives in both countries by leading to improved healthcare knowledge.

UT Health Science Center President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D., said, "Agreements such as this formally open the door for our two universities to work together in many ways from faculty collaboration to research and discovery and student exchange through innovative educational programs and opportunities."

The signing ceremony at the Health Science Center may have been the first witnessed by the president of the participating country, said Bryant Boutwell, Dr.P.H., associate vice president for accreditation and international programs at the Health Science Center. The Health Science Center has about 100 international agreements of cooperation.

President Martinelli credited Adan Rios, M.D, and University of Texas Medical School at Houston associate professor and Republic of Panama ambassador for the promotion of health, with championing the project. "Dr. Rios had a dream of making this happen," President Martinelli said.

Rios said a trip to Panama by students from the UT Medical School at Houston is being planned for the spring and may involve the study of infectious diseases. He said officials from both countries are interested in exploring telemedicine, which the National Cancer Institute defines as the delivery of health care from a distance using electronic information and technology such as computers, cameras, videoconferencing, the Internet, satellite and wireless communications.

University of Panama Chancellor Dr. Gustavo Garcia de Paredes said, "Our agreement looks for the promotion of education and research in areas of interest and mutual benefit; it seeks to organize and develop relevant research on the needs for sustainable human development in our countries to be later presented in symposiums, conferences, seminars and other academic arenas."

The University of Panama has about 55,000 undergraduate students and 2,500 graduate students. It has 18 schools, 8 regional branches and 12 institutes.

The agreement was signed by President Martinelli, Kaiser, Garcia de Paredes and Boutwell. Also present at the signing table were Republic of Panama Minister of Health His Excellency Franklin Vergara, M.D., Ambassador of Panama to the United States His Excellency Jaime Alemán, J.D., and Rios.

Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett marked the signing by issuing proclamations. Guests included Texas State Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr., Houston City Council Member Mike Sullivan, U.S. State Department Panama Desk Officer Marsha Singer, Port of Houston Authority Chairman James T. Edmonds and Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan - who was also a member of the Panama Canal Commission when the decision was made to revert the canal to the people of Panama.

Rob Cahill
Media Hotline: 713-500-3030