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The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) celebrated its new partnership with Panama’s National Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation on March 5, 2012. Also known as the U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative, the partnership will enable Panamanian students to come to Washington, D.C. and participate in unique and transformational opportunities.

The agreement will support the participation of students in the following programs:

• U.S.-Panama Innovation and Competitive Internship Training Program for Students and Young Professionals
• U.S.-Panama Innovation and Competitive Seminars for Leaders and Public Servants
• U.S.-Panama Innovation and Competitive Forum

The ceremony included speeches from both TWC and the Republic of Panama, including:

• Michael B. Smith, TWC President
• Dr. Ruben Berrocal, the National Secretary for Science, Technology and Innovation
• Pilar Mendiola-Fernandez, TWC Senior Vice President of Advanced Leadership Programs and the International Department
• Gladys Bernett, advisor to the National Secretary for Science, Technology, and Innovation
• Walter P. Bastian, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere at the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration

At the end of the event, both sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding to make the initiative official and then enjoyed a celebratory toast.

[See photos of the event on our Flickr channel]