COMPETENCIES OF THE 21ST-CENTURY TEACHING PROFILE BASED ON THE DEMANDS OF THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT IN UNIVERSITIES OF PANAMA

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to identify the competencies of the 21st-century teaching profile based on the demands of the academic environment in universities in Panama. To this end, a comprehensive analysis of the current requirements of the university context was conducted. In order to achieve the proposed objectives, a qualitative methodological approach was employed, focused on the collection and analysis of information through expert interviews, focus groups, and an exhaustive review of relevant documentation, including national and international laws and regulations. This process made it possible to identify the key competencies required of university instructors and to validate these findings through discussions with actors from the academic and professional fields. The most relevant finding demonstrates that, in order to strengthen the managerial and pedagogical capacities of instructors, it is essential to promote continuous training and establish clear guidelines aligned with current regulations, including Law 52 of 2015, which regulates fundamental aspects of the teaching profession in Panama. The results of the study allow us to conclude that the 21st-century university instructor must possess a set of competencies that respond to a dynamic, technological, and highly regulated academic environment. It is concluded that teacher professionalization—supported by continuous training, disciplinary updating, and mastery of innovative pedagogical tools—constitutes an essential pillar for ensuring educational quality. Likewise, the alignment between higher education institutions and the current regulatory framework is a determining factor in guiding the development and strengthening of the teaching profile, ensuring that teaching performance effectively responds to the current and future needs of Panama’s university system.

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