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Drake University Partners with Panama to Launch AI-Focused Bachelors Program
When the world’s data meets Panama’s ambition, a new generation of AI talent is taking shape. On July 28, 2026, Drake University announced it will partner with the Panamanian government to launch the country’s first AI‑focused bachelor’s degree, as part of Panama’s inaugural national artificial‑intelligence strategy unveiled a year earlier.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s 2025 strategy aims to build a domestic talent pipeline, spur research, and position Panama as a regional AI services hub. A 2025 survey by the National Council for Science and Technology (SENACYT) found that 69.4 % of Panamanians view AI favorably, underscoring strong public support.
Drake’s contribution is a new Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics with a minor in artificial intelligence. The accelerated three‑year program will begin enrolling students in Panama City in August 2026, blending core data‑science coursework with foundational AI concepts. Students may also opt for a two‑plus‑two track: the first two years in Panama followed by the final two years at Drake’s Des Moines campus.
Applications opened September 1, 2026. The curriculum will be delivered in both English and Spanish, featuring faculty from Drake’s data‑science department and visiting scholars from Panama. According to the university’s admissions office, the program is expected to fill within the first month.
The collaboration dovetails with Panama’s goal to attract foreign investment and cultivate a skilled workforce for fintech, logistics, and maritime sectors. The Ministry has highlighted data analytics and AI as key growth areas, noting the Panama Canal’s need for real‑time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Classes will start in September 2026, following Panama City’s public‑school calendar. Graduates will receive a Drake University diploma after completing the two‑year program in Des Moines, ensuring credentials are recognized in both the United States and Panama.
Beyond education, the partnership is projected to spur economic benefits for both sides. In Panama, students and faculty will support local businesses and the knowledge economy. For Drake, the program expands its global brand and offers research collaboration opportunities funded by Panamanian agencies.
The national AI strategy also includes provisions for data governance, ethical AI use, and cybersecurity. Drake’s curriculum incorporates modules on responsible AI and privacy‑preserving analytics, aligning closely with the strategy’s emphasis on ethical deployment.
In short, Drake University’s partnership with Panama marks a tangible step toward building a skilled AI workforce in Central America. The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics with a minor in AI, opening next August in Panama City, offers a flexible pathway that blends local training with Drake’s resources in Des Moines, supporting Panama’s ambition to become a regional AI hub.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s 2025 strategy aims to build a domestic talent pipeline, spur research, and position Panama as a regional AI services hub. A 2025 survey by the National Council for Science and Technology (SENACYT) found that 69.4 % of Panamanians view AI favorably, underscoring strong public support.
Drake’s contribution is a new Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics with a minor in artificial intelligence. The accelerated three‑year program will begin enrolling students in Panama City in August 2026, blending core data‑science coursework with foundational AI concepts. Students may also opt for a two‑plus‑two track: the first two years in Panama followed by the final two years at Drake’s Des Moines campus.
Applications opened September 1, 2026. The curriculum will be delivered in both English and Spanish, featuring faculty from Drake’s data‑science department and visiting scholars from Panama. According to the university’s admissions office, the program is expected to fill within the first month.
The collaboration dovetails with Panama’s goal to attract foreign investment and cultivate a skilled workforce for fintech, logistics, and maritime sectors. The Ministry has highlighted data analytics and AI as key growth areas, noting the Panama Canal’s need for real‑time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Classes will start in September 2026, following Panama City’s public‑school calendar. Graduates will receive a Drake University diploma after completing the two‑year program in Des Moines, ensuring credentials are recognized in both the United States and Panama.
Beyond education, the partnership is projected to spur economic benefits for both sides. In Panama, students and faculty will support local businesses and the knowledge economy. For Drake, the program expands its global brand and offers research collaboration opportunities funded by Panamanian agencies.
The national AI strategy also includes provisions for data governance, ethical AI use, and cybersecurity. Drake’s curriculum incorporates modules on responsible AI and privacy‑preserving analytics, aligning closely with the strategy’s emphasis on ethical deployment.
In short, Drake University’s partnership with Panama marks a tangible step toward building a skilled AI workforce in Central America. The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics with a minor in AI, opening next August in Panama City, offers a flexible pathway that blends local training with Drake’s resources in Des Moines, supporting Panama’s ambition to become a regional AI hub.
