More than 47,000 legal professionals in Guatemala will have access to new training and diploma programs as a result of an agreement signed between the Colegio de Abogados y Notarios de Guatemala (CANG) and Universidad Panamericana (UPANA). The agreement, called the Convenio Marco de Colaboración Académica, aims to update the knowledge and professional skills of CANG members.
As part of the first stage, UPANA announced two diploma courses for CANG members. The Diploma in Civil and Commercial Procedural Law will be held in person at Campus Naranjo on Saturdays from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. The Diploma in Criminal Procedural Law will be offered online via Teams on Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Both programs are scheduled to begin in September.
Mario Antonio Siekavizza, President of the Board of Directors at CANG, said: "As an association, one of our goals is scientific advancement. Therefore, the greatest benefit of this agreement is providing professionals with opportunities for academic and knowledge growth. It is important that they continue their preparation given today's rapidly changing environment."
Each program lasts 13 weeks. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a university-recognized postgraduate diploma worth three academic credits, which can be applied toward UPANA's Master's degree in Procedural Law. Each course costs Q1,500.00, covering registration, classes, and the diploma. Active membership in CANG is required for enrollment.
In addition to these offerings, UPANA has opened its first Debate Room at Campus Naranjo for law students’ practical training. This facility is designed to allow undergraduate and graduate students from the Faculty of Legal Sciences and Justice to conduct debate simulations or use it as a resource for developing critical thinking skills, argumentation abilities, public speaking techniques, and teamwork within procedural law contexts.
Enrique Sánchez, Dean of the Faculty of Legal Sciences and Justice at Universidad Panamericana stated: "For UPANA it is important that our professionals stand out in leadership and are comprehensively prepared with current topics that add value to their careers. That’s why we believe it’s necessary for them to have access to tools and resources that give them a broad perspective and experience interacting in scenarios very similar to reality; this led us to create this new area."
The Debate Room replicates a court setting with appropriate furniture as well as audio and audiovisual equipment for student use. It will serve various courses such as Forensic Oratory, Criminal Procedural Law, Labor Procedural Law among others.
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