West Coast University (Panama)
West Coast Institute of Management & Technology | |
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Former names | West Coast Institute of Management & Technology(WCIMT) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private Autonomous University |
| Established | 1996 |
| Affiliation | California University Foreign Credential Evaluator (CUFCE),Panama Government,Autonomous |
| President | Dr. S. Lloyd |
| Vice-president | Dr. Stephen R. Barnhart |
| Superintendent | Dr. Robert Ray Hil |
| Rector | Samina S. Lloyd |
| Location | Panama city , Panama |
| Campus | Panama |
| Nickname | West Coast University of Panama(WCU) |
| Affiliations | Autonomous |
| Website | www.westcoastuniversity.edu.pa |
History
The “West Coast Institute of Management & Technology (WCIMT)” was established in 1996 at Perth by a Christian family “S. Lloyd Family Trust” to provide vocational and Professional Educational Services at National and International Levels under a Christian mission and vision of preaching, teaching and Social work.It is Autonomous Educational Institute.
The institute is a registered and accredited training institution, accredited by the Training Accreditation Council (TAC) of the Training Department of the Government of Western Australia, and is listed on the “Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses ” (CRICOS), which provide accredited courses to local and overseas students up to Graduate Diploma Level.
WCIMT established a chain of affiliated colleges in many countries. In 2004, the trustees decided to use this infrastructure to establish the West Coast University in a favorable country; on the recommendations of faculty members West Coast University was incorporated at Panama City, under article 19 of law 32 of 1927. The word “West Coast” does have an historical background in Panama. West Coast University, although based in Panama, serves as a global institute for Autonomous higher education.
About University status
West Coast University (WCU) is incorporated in the Republic of Panama, Central America, under clause 19 of Law 32 of 1927 of Panamanian law, as a Global University which offers academic and professional courses in Higher Education through accredited Distance Education Methodologies of Panama.
West Coast University is a member with Consultant Status of the Universidad Consortium, which represents recognized and accredited higher education entities, licensed by the Ministries of Education-Government of their respective countries, through the office of the Adult Council on Higher Education Private Universities and through the Office of the National Council of Universities. These universities are listed in the UNESCO World Handbook of Universities. Consortium has legal domicile in the City of San Jose, Costa Rica and Mexico City, Mexico.
Accreditation by other Universities
To make its course recognized and acceptable by other systems, it got accredited under the University Consortium; the Universidad San Juan de la Cruz (formally known as University San Juan de la Cruz) is a recognized and accredited university by the Ministry of Education, Government of the Republic of Costa Rica, Central America through The National Council on Higher Education and Private Universities. Kursk State Technical University Russia now renamed as South-West State University and West Coast University (WCU) has signed a bilateral agreement with the University Mediterranean and Virginia Society of Technology in Education. This makes it easier for students got certificate from here to get jobs and credit transfer. ICS has confirmed that credits earned from WCU can be considered for full transfer toward the degrees of the Southwest State University (Formerly Kursk State Technical University) of Russia subject to the final completion of a project paper demonstrating high level of academic knowledge. Southwest State University is the only technical University of Russia which is a member of the National Committee of Economic Cooperation with the countries of Latin America. This is a government owned university of the Russian Federation funded by the State and governed in accordance with the State Educational Standard of Russian Federation.
Victoria Global Univesity, Ltd
Just like WCUP Victoria Global University got incorporated in the Turks and Caicos Island, (U.K Overseas Territory) under the provisions of section 181 (1) of ordinance 1981, to undertake activities as a private institution of higher education i.e., private university focusing on Distance Learning and confer several educational Programs . The Governor of Turks and Caicos Island has granted exemption for a period of twenty years to this VG University having campus and hostel facilities on the Island it claims associations with several UK's Colleges and Indian Private Institutions for research. But Victoria Global comes under Private and autonomous Institutions. Educational Credential Evaluators gives it a equivalency Certification.
Equivalency Certification
WCU curricula, degrees and transcripts have been evaluated, assessed and certified to be equivalent to regionally accredited universities of USA by California University Foreign Credentials Evaluation (CUFCE), organized under the Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. The Secretary of State of California issued his stamp of approval on August 23, 2001 with the corporation I.D. No: 231899. CUFCE was commissioned by some U.S. universities, colleges and schools to evaluate and assess their curricula, the academic credentials of their faculty members, staff and students. These credential evaluation reports were submitted with their application for national accreditation. Most CUFCE clients were granted national accreditation as institutions of higher education and/or individuals. The U.S. educational system is becoming very popular among colleges and universities, worldwide. CUFCE has received scores of request for the evaluation of foreign academic curricula to conform to the academic standards of the regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities of USA. California University FCE is also affiliated with the University for Peace - Universidad de la Paz UPAZ (UPEACE), accredited by Panama's Ministry of Education since 1994. UPAZ is a UNESCO partner.
The college was recently in 2009 got accredited by California University Foreign Credential Evaluator (CUFCE) and is affiliated with colleges in Italy. WCU Programs started at International University Panama (IUP) Campus Blaise Pascal Institute, Carini (PA), Italy and many other institutions in Asia,Europe and Africa.
California University Foreign Credential Evaluator (CUFCE) certifies the credits earned at West Coast University in Panama to be equivalent to any other nationally and regionally accredited colleges and universities of United States of America. CUFCE is recognized by US Department of Education with EROD Unique ID 7499 and has got grant of status of accredited institution by American Association of Higher Education and Accreditation (AAHEA).
References
http://www.westcoastuniversity.edu.pa/wcu_iup_programmes.html