Mexico City, August 11, 2025.— With the aim of promoting academic excellence and the development of the judicial system in Central America, the Universidad Panamericana and the Judicial Branch of Guatemala signed a cooperation agreement that will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, joint research, and the professionalization of the legal sector in the region.
The formal ceremony, held on our university’s campus, was attended by officials from the Guatemalan Judiciary, including:
- Teódulo Ildefonso Cifuentes Maldonado, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Guatemala
- Claudia Lucrecia Paredes Castañeda, President of the Civil Chamber and Sixth Associate Judge.
- Gustavo Adolfo Morales Duarte, President of the Criminal Chamber and Member Judge No. XIII.
- Luis Mauricio Corado Campos, Member X of the Criminal Chamber.
- Carlos Ramiro Contreras Valenzuela, President of the Chamber of Amparo and Preliminary Hearings and Fourth Associate Justice.
- Saúl Estuardo Reyes Valenzuela, director of the School of Judicial Studies.
A forward-looking agreement
The agreement was signed by Dr. Fernando Batista Jiménez, dean of the School of Law at the National Autonomous University of Mexico ( Universidad Panamericana ), Mexico City campus, and Dr. Teodulo Ildefonso Cifuentes Maldonado, president of the Guatemalan Judiciary.
During his remarks, Dr. Batista emphasized that this agreement “will not only strengthen academic ties between Mexico and Guatemala, but will also help build a justice system that is more technically sound, humane, and accessible to society”.
For his part, Dr. Cifuentes Maldonado emphasized: “This strategic partnership with one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Latin America will allow us to modernize our judicial system and train professionals with high ethical and academic standards.”
Actions Under the Agreement with the Guatemalan Judiciary
The agreement establishes a roadmap with immediate and medium-term projects, including the following:
- Legal research:conducting joint studies on legal issues of regional interest.
- Academic activities:organizing conferences, seminars, workshops, and specialized certificate programs.
- Publications:co-editing of scientific articles, event proceedings, and collaborative books.
- Student and Faculty Exchange:Academic Mobility to Enrich the Education of Students and Faculty.
- Exploring Graduate Programs:Establishing a committee to evaluate potential joint master’s and doctoral programs.
Direct Benefits for the UP Community
Students and faculty at the Law School of the University of the West ( Universidad Panamericana ) will be the primary beneficiaries of this agreement, as they will have access to:
- Participation in international research projects.
- Opportunities to attend academic events in Guatemala.
- Publications co-authored with experts from the Guatemalan judicial system.
- Opportunity to participate in academic exchanges at partner institutions.
“This agreement opens up a wide range of possibilities for our students and faculty, allowing them to broaden their professional horizons and contribute to the region’s legal development,”, said Dr. Batista.
A commitment to justice and the rule of law
For the Universidad Panamericana, this agreement represents an opportunity to expand its academic influence in Central America and contribute to strengthening the rule of law. “We want our research to go beyond the classroom and have a positive impact on society,”, said Dean Batista.
For its part, the Guatemalan Judiciary views this partnership as a key driver for the professionalization of its legal practitioners and the modernization of its processes.
Through this agreement, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to quality legal education, academic innovation, and social justice, laying the groundwork for a lasting partnership that will benefit future generations of lawyers in the region.
Learn more about the Law School at the University of the Andes ( Universidad Panamericana ) at: https://www.up.edu.mx/educacion-universidad-facultad-de-derecho/
