• Academic Department
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• International Organizations, Cooperation and NGOs
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FAQ

• Does CDS validate my degrees if I take study programs offered in their premises?

  CDS is not the validating entity. Universities wishing to grant degrees that will be valid in Panama must follow the steps established by the legislation in force. Once they have obtained the corresponding legal status in Panama, such universities must register with the Ministry of Education through the National Coordinating Bureau for Third or Higher Level Learning. Afterward, the academic programs they plan to offer at the University of Panama must be approved. Panamanian educational authorities also approve foreign degrees for individual students, provided that they were granted by qualified educational institutions in their countries of origin. Check for particular procedures as they can vary depending on the country that issued the degree.

• Is there a format for submitting an affiliation proposal to CDS as an Academic Program?

  Yes, you must contact the Academic Department and once your process is ready to begin, you will be given a password for completing the format on line. You can also request it through the Admission section in this website.

• How should I submit my proposal?

  You should submit four (4) printed copies. The presentation format (binding, etc.) is up to the proponent, but is not compulsory.

• Where should the proposal be presented?

  It should be presented in our offices, City of Knowledge, Building 95. Proposals should be addressed to our Executive Director, Jorge Arosemena, but it must go through the Academic Department, which is responsible for reviewing them. In other words, although the letters should be addressed to Professor Arosemena, proposals should be delivered to the Academic Department first.

• Can I get a copy of an academic proposal that has been successful, to take it as an example?

  Unfortunately, no. We must keep our other affiliates information confidential.

• Can a member of CDS help me to write a proposal or review it before submission?

  Of course. In fact, we do not recommend formal delivery of the proposal without prior electronic submission of a draft to the Academic Department. Normally, our candidates contact us via e­mail mailto:idonato@cdspanama.org, by telephone (507­3170111), or make a previous appointment to prepare the proposal.

• If I need a small office at CDS... can I rent one?

  We only rent permanent offices to our affiliates, and temporary offices at the Business and Training Center or the Executive Office Center to people who use them to offer short­ or long­term academic programs.

• What kind of institutions can be affiliated?

  The Academic Department affiliates specific programs backed by renowned institutions. It does not affiliate full institutions or universities. Each university or educational institution may affiliate more than one program, but they must each be approved by the CDS Academic Department.

• What are the requirements for eligibility and for submitting a proposal to the Academic Department?

  Please refer to the Admission section.

• How long does the affiliation process take?

  It takes an average of five months, but this period varies according to the quality of the submitted proposal.

• How much does it cost to become affiliated?

  Affiliation to CDS is free of charge.

• Is FCDS a university?

  The City of Knowledge Foundation is not a university nor does it offer any academic programs of its own. The programs offered in the City of Knowledge are those that have been affiliated to our project and whose quality has been proven, but they are not the FCDS’s responsibility.

• Does the FCDS offer any educational programs of its own?

  No. Specifically, City of Knowledge offers lectures or other knowledge­related activities, but it has no educational programs of its own.

• How can I volunteer or get an internship in CDS institutions?

  You should contact those institutions directly. You may check their contact data in our user directory.

• Are all academic programs in Spanish?

  Most of them are in Spanish.

• Where can students, teachers and researchers participating in CDS programs find accommodation?

  The City of Knowledge has accommodation villas available for students and teachers. They are modest residences, but very comfortable and conveniently priced. Please refer to our Services section.