Ngabe-Bukle Universidad Growth

2007 Inauguration of Universidad

To play the video clips below, please Download Quicktime® Free Video Player. Then click on the video titles to play them.
Rector, Mr. Bernardino Sanchez, Welcome .MOV
Introduction of Professors .MOV
Children's Traditional Dance .MOV
Mona Foundation Welcome .MOV
Child's Poem .MOV
Ribbon Cutting .MOV
Plaque for Mr. Amanat .MOV
Computer Lab .MOV

Three years ago, the group working for the future Universidád Ngäbe Bukle met with Mona Foundation a spoke of the Ngäbe Bukle people's dream and desire of having a their own university. Mona Foundation representatives sensed their determination and felt their conviction. Identification with this dream and desire was easy for Mona and all of us were immersed in one vision together. Local goals were clear – to help themselves, to develop leaders, and to improve the standard of living while maintaining their culture. The Ngäbe Bukle leaders said, “We want a university to educate our people while preserving our heritage!” They have now accomplished part of that goal!

On August 27, 2007, Universidád Ngäbe Bukle was inaugurated with members of the Ngäbe Bukle community, the president of the National Indigenous Congress, the regional chief, the Ngäbe professors who will teach the university classes, Microsoft Panama, eight representatives from Mona Foundation, the local press and many other guests on hand as witnesses. This event was highlighted by speeches from the rector of the University, Microsoft Panama, and Mona Foundation among others, the presentation of gifts and recognition of the all Ngäbe staff, as well as a poetry presentation by a young student and a native dance performed by the kindergarten.

The establishment of this fully accredited university, the first ever on indigenous Panamanian lands, has been accomplished by the people themselves with the approval of the Ministry of Education and official certification by the University of Panama. This truly is the result of years of sacrifice, determination and very hard work on the part of many local people. With this higher educational institution comes the opportunity for the heritage of the Ngäbe Bukle people to be sustained, to grow and to flourish as the leaders of the community are educated and have the opportunity to lead and develop their comarca socially and economically.

Rector of Universidád Ngäbe Bukle, Mr. Bernardino Sanchez, said in his speech, “Universidád Ngäbe Bukle has had many barriers and we have to recognize that one is bureaucracy. We were told that the Ngäbe Bukle community is not able to do it (become a university). We threw that model into the trash. Our new model is that the Ngäbe Bukle people ARE capable and only education can reveal their treasures within. This is the model of the university that is born on the comarca and not imposed from outside. The Ngäbe Bukle people are capable. We will succeed.”

“It is possible to develop the comarca and the best tool to do this is education. It is our instrument, our way out. Without it, injustice reigns. Because of ignorance, our people cannot walk forward. Education will give the community knowledge to walk forward. The Ngäbe Bukle people will achieve, through education, economy and the self-confidence needed to create and develop for ourselves.”

The President of the Indigenous Congress, Pedro Rodriguez said, “I feel proud at this time when I see our professors with their degrees presented here at this inauguration. . . . We lost our autonomy 500 years ago but now we have progressed and universities like this should be all over the comarca. We need several projects like this one and we will build them. I have faith that this University will go forward and we will raise up students to carry this flag of the comarca.”

Rogelio Moreno, the Regional Chief of the comarca, addressed the crowd with these words, “To all of you from outside: We are brothers. Why are we brothers? We were born! We all have our own cultures and communities. I believe in these people. I believe in this community. And you are all our brothers and sisters. You will help to teach us how to walk. No one was born walking. You have to crawl first. We walked from mountain top to mountain top to have this comarca. We’re part of a nation and a world and have rights to education and a better life. I, as chief and cultural leader, have the responsibility to develop and learn and to help others do the same.”

“We don't have words to express ourselves to tell you how proud we are to be a small part of the growth of the children of the comarca, to help them achieve their potential. We hope that this technology will help you take it one step further so that you can present yourselves to the world and other indigenous communities so that all peoples have this beacon as an example for their own futures,” remarked Roberto Centellas, General Manager, Microsoft Panama, grantor of the digital research library for the university.

Another speaker, Bernardo Jaen, a Ngäbe Bukle director, added, “What you're doing is historic because it's a self-actualization of the community. This is very important for us because so many of us have studied with a good deal of sacrifice. We will promote our own development. We know we will get assistance from others. We have always been told we're not capable because we're Indians. This is not true. We have always known it wasn't true and now we have proved it with this university.”

Upon reflection, one of the group from the Mona Foundation said, “I think the most significant impression for me was the fact that the Ngäbe are so proud of their culture and are such wise people. Despite all the hardship, struggles and put downs they have experienced they are truly confident and committed to the betterment of their community. This is proof that the remedy to all the ills of every society is education. No nation or group of people is smarter than the others. Once you give people the opportunity for good education all the gems come out and people flourish. A perfect example of this is one Ngäbe student who, three years ago when getting ready to give a speech, had forgotten everything she wanted to say because she was so nervous. However, after three years of training, she spoke firmly, with absolute confidence, poise and conviction, needing no notes for reference. This is a living example of the practice of Mona Foundation's philosophy in supporting grassroots educational initiatives.

“The Mona Foundation is trusted by the Ngäbe people. We have proven over time that we are not there to dictate to them how to do things, but to walk beside them as they travel their chosen path.”

A sense of pride for one's heritage is vital to the strength of any community. The strong desire of this community to preserve their Ngabe heritage is probably the one thing that stands out from this visit so much, for everywhere were reminders of this in their speeches, their art, their native dress, their beadwork, their dances and their polite respectful manners.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were invited to tour the decorated lab and administration building. Later light refreshments were served and attendees enjoyed visiting and admiring the new buildings. It is extremely gratifying to have watched the progress, share in the happiness and celebrate in the success of these noble and determined people.

A Mona Foundation representative commented to the present guests that this inauguration is a truly a historical event for several reasons: 1) It has come into being through hard work and determination of the Ngäbe people themselves. 2) It enjoys wide community support including the National Ngäbe Congress, the Ngäbe Bukle Foundation, the Ngäbe Chief and the Elders. 3) It enjoys the support of a very well known Corporation, Microsoft, and is supported by Mona Foundation who through a gift made in honor of life-long services of Mr. Mosa Amanat has been able to assist with this initiative. This effort is a good example of miracles that happen when people come together in unity and work to open the doors of education to all and make our world a better place for our children.

2007 Fifth Training Seminar

In the month of January we completed the fifth training seminar for the Ngabe professors. Two professors from the Rural University in Colombia give the course to fifteen Ngabe teachers. The most significant learning is the unity and firmness of our teachers in reliability and maintaining a high degree of enthusiasm and decided commitment to apply this knowledge to the service of the Comarca.

We now have the deed for the land ready for the legalization process for the establishment of the CTLC and the construction of the administrative building.

2007 Accreditation Steps

With relation to the accreditation or approval of the first program of study, Technical in Sustainable Development and Environment, it was approved by specialists in the field in and passed by the Fiscal Commission in the month of January. We requested permission to speak to the Academic Council in February. The result of our visit to Panama was that the Council in its plenary session decided to definitively approve the Technician in Sustainable Development and Environment program of study. At the same time they promised to speed up the approval of the Bachelor's degree as quickly as possible.

With regard the approval of the Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Bilingual Education in Applied Math and Science, we now have the second review from the Mathematics Department, but nothing at all from the Department of Exact Sciences or from the School of Education. With regard to the new programs of study, we are consulting about the conceptual framework of the two new programs to begin very soon writing up the curricular proposal. We have considered as viable options developing a masters' degree in Intercultural Bilingual Education and another Technical Level (two-year degree) in Administration of Local Economies. We have more than 100 students registered in Soloy who are awaiting the opening of the university. We cannot provide them with classes until the Ministry of Education in Panama gives its approval.

top

2007 Building Plans are Made

Administrative Center

To take advantage of the space and give an image of rural beauty, the University Administrative Center will be built a short distance from the CTLC, with a country garden between the two buildings. It will consist of a reception area where the secretary can work, a rector's office, a gazebo (bohio) for conferences of about twenty people, and a bathroom. We chose the gazebo style of construction for meetings because it is culturally appropriate for the area &ndas; the people prefer to meet in the open air. The reception area measures 189 square feet, the rector's office 226 square feet, the gazebo 331 square feet, and bathrooms, with exterior access, 61 square feet. There will also be a small closet in the rector's office and a utility area of 34 square feet.

CTLC/Library

This building will be 500 square feet, the space necessary to hold a classroom of 20 computers connected to Internet and the bookshelves that will make up the specialized Ngabere and Spanish language library. To counteract the effects of Quebrada Molejon's muggy heat, we will place abundant insulation in the roof, include many windows, and have a large overhang. There will be a set of bathrooms (60 square feet) for men and women, with exterior access for the public who use the CTLC.

Costs
In general, it costs about $30 a square foot to build in Panama. We have received special donation of the land, but a budgetary adjustment is required for part of it. We have also received the offer of an excellent supervision team. At the moment we are cautiously optimistic that preliminary estimates put the cost of construction at $20 a square foot for enclosed areas, and $10 a square foot for the gazebo. The land being donated by Sra. Julia represents the entirety of her property, to be inherited by her children. The Working Group wishes to offer her the nominal sum of $500 in recognition of her sacrificial offer, in the hopes that she will be able to acquire a parcel of land in another site to bequeath to her heirs.

Procedures
Here are the drawings of the preliminary conceptual design of the construction project. Pete Jorgensen has offered to work directly with the builders. He has indicated that the construction should require eight months. We may find it advantageous to build in phases, starting with the CTLC and then proceeding with the administrative center.

top