Our history
More than two decades ago, the former Clayton military base became a Ciudad del Saber, a space that transformed soldiers into students, barracks into classrooms and weapons into books.
Explore the publication of 25 years1993-1999
From military base to knowledge center
In 1993, a group of Panamanian businessmen conceived the idea of creating a “Socratic Plaza” in the facilities of the Reverted Areas (former Panama Canal Zone). With the support of the Government of the Republic, the Ciudad del Saber Foundation was created in 1995.
Through Decree Law No. 6 of February 10, 1998, the State ordered the transfer to the Fundación Ciudad del Saber of 120 hectares of the former Fort Clayton, where the great Ciudad del Saber project was developed.
The formal transfer of the military base to Panama took place on November 30, 1999, with the delivery of a symbolic key. Thus was born Ciudad del Saber.
1993
A group of Panamanian businessmen promoted the project that conceived the idea of creating a “Socratic Plaza” in the facilities of the reverted areas.
1994
The idea of converting a military base into a city of knowledge was presented to the international community by President Ernesto Perez Balladares during the first Summit of the Americas, held in Miami, United States.
In his words: “With Ciudad del Saber, Panama is rendering a new service to humanity and, just as in the past it was a bridge between two oceans, in the future it will also become a point of convergence between cultures, a center for training and specialized studies for two continents, and an obligatory reference when we face the challenge of globalizing education.
1995
Ciudad del Saber Foundation was created to carry out the project.
1996
The idea was favorably received by the Director-General of UNESCO, Federico Mayor Zaragoza. This organization helped shape the project through a workshop, the results of which were published in the publication Ciudad del Saber: A Possible Utopia, in
The final choice of Fort Clayton (instead of Albrook) was the result of the recommendations of a first feasibility study, contracted by Dr. Nicolás Ardito Barletta, who was the administrator of the Interoceanic Region Authority. The study recommended that Ciudad del Saber, rather than becoming a conventional university, should offer “research facilities, support infrastructure, and attractive residential areas”.
1997
Rubén Lachman, Melissa Vallarino and Jorge Riba completed the preparation of the Clayton Micro-use plan for the Ciudad del Saber Foundation, where they agreed with the EDA on the high value assigned to Clayton: “in addition to the design of its residential areas, which shows a balance between architecture and landscaping and a careful management of the topography in the hydrographic system and environmental conservation, there is a wide greenbelt on one side and the Panama Canal and its protected banks on the other”.
1998
Through Decree Law No. 6 of 1998, the State transferred 120 hectares of Clayton to the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
1999
November 30: The Clayton base was formally transferred to Panama. The complex was received by the National Government, presided by Mireya Moscoso, who at the same ceremony handed over the corresponding facilities to the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
On December 2, 1999, the 11 people who at that time made up the Foundation's team entered the Clayton site.
2000-2004
We honor and commemorate
Once the former Fort Clayton was formally handed over to the National Government and in turn to the Fundación Ciudad del Saber in December 1999, the magnitude of the project and the challenge faced by the 11-person team that settled on the site at that time became tangible.
With their departure, the americans left a desolate campus, but at the same time full of opportunities. 120 hectares and multiple building complexes that had to be rehabilitated and populated with a clear intention and purpose: to bring forth knowledge at the service of Panama and the world.
During this period (2000-2004) the culture of entrepreneurship in Ciudad del Saber took its first steps with the creation of the Panama Business Incubator, which later became the Don Alberto Motta Panama Business Technology Accelerator (ATEP).
2000
SENACYT and the National Metrology Center of Panama, the first institutions to move to the campus, were installed in the northern area of Ciudad del Saber, known as Tecnoparque Internacional de Panamá (TIP). In addition, the academic institutions Florida State University (FSU) and Isthmus School of Architecture were established on the campus.
The Spanish Agency for International Cooperation was also established. The Ciudad del Saber Foundation created the Panama Business Incubator (IDEP), from where training and spaces for innovative entrepreneurs began to be offered.
2001
Highlights of Ophtalmology was the first company to set up in the Panama International Technopark (TIP).
Ciudad del Saber signed a technical assistance agreement with the European Union.
The Organization of American States (OAS) was established in Ciudad del Saber.
2002
The company Telecarrier was installed in Ciudad del Saber.
The first regional headquarters of a United Nations agency was established in Ciudad del Saber: the UNICEF regional headquarters for Latin America and the Caribbean, installed in building 102. Iraqi architect Shibil H. M. Ali Al Shaibani, who had already designed UNICEF offices in Baghdad and Amman, was in charge of the work.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies moved into the Ciudad del Saber.
The creation of the International Center for Sustainable Development (CIDES), promoted by the Fundación Ciudad del Saber, after the initiative was officially presented by the Government of Panama at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
2003
The World Food Programme (WFP) Office was established in Ciudad del Saber.
2004
The Ciudad del Saber Foundation celebrated its first Siembra de Banderas marking the beginning of an institutional tradition.
The event was inspired by the patriotic deed of May 2, 1958, known as Operation Sovereignty.
The United Nations (UNDP) signed a contract for the installation of its offices in buildings 128 and 129.
Fundación Ciudad del Saber held a contest to prepare the Urban Development Master Plan for the campus. The winning company was Grupo Suma, S.A., headed by Architect Ariel Espino.
Fundación Ciudad del Saber already had 44 collaborators.
With the support of the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB-MIF) and the World Bank's InfoDev program, the Panama Business Incubator became the Don Alberto Motta Panama Technology Business Accelerator (ATEP).
The International Center for Sustainable Development began operating through an international strategic alliance made up of academic, scientific, governmental, non-governmental, business and international organizations.
2005-2009
Sovereignty
The strategy to attract universities and research centers to Ciudad del Saber was expanded, seeking to close the gap between the academic-scientific and business worlds, and strengthen Panama's presence in the international community. This approach was achieved with the creation of Panama's first Science and Technology Park, thanks to support from the European Union.
During this period, the Foundation completed its first interventions in historic buildings, which allowed it to develop working models that could be replicated in other buildings on the campus. In addition, in this second five-year period (2005-2009), the process of preparation, public discussion and approval of the first Master Plan for Urban Development of Ciudad del Saber was carried out.
Thus, the vision of that Socratic square dreamed by the founders materialized through a community with national and international actors, in conditions conducive to exchange and collaboration.
2005
Dr. Rodrigo Tarté Ponce led the process of design, organization, implementation and projection of the International Center for Sustainable Development, constituted as an International Organization on April 11, 2005 in the Republic of Panama. Under Dr. Tarté's leadership, its governing bodies were established and its functional structure was conformed.
2006
The Copa Airlines Training Center was established at the Ciudad del Saber.
2007
Ciudad del Saber was designated as the headquarters of the United Nations Interagency Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the same year, the first major intervention to a historic building was completed: the transformation of 105 located in the Central Quadrangle into a Training and Business Center.
2008
OSATEP became the Don Alberto Motta Panama Business Accelerator (AEP), a redirection oriented to entrepreneurs with high growth potential projects in any sector of the economy, without requiring technological or scientific development.
The Panama International Hotel School, the first hotel school in Panama under the Holiday Inn brand, was established at the Ciudad del Saber.
The Fundación Ciudad del Saber organized an international architectural competition to design three new complexes, with bioclimatic and environmental sustainability considerations being fundamental in all of them. These would become La Plaza, the complex of buildings 205, 206 and 208 (SENACYT, INDICASAT and CENAMEP) and the Lodging Complex.
2009
The process of preparation, public discussion and approval of the first Master Plan for Urban Development of Ciudad del Saber was sanctioned by the Directorate of Urban Development of the Ministry of Housing.
The Fundación Ciudad del Saber made a request to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Inter-Oceanic Region Authority (ARI) for the creation of an ecological reserve for two adjacent parcels of land located between the Camino de Cruces National Park and Ciudad del Saber. Ten years later, these 21 hectares would become the Dr. Rodrigo Tarté Biological Reserve.
The GEM: Global Entrepreneurship Study of Panama, organized by the Fundación Ciudad del Saber together with IESA, a global research project that has been carried out periodically ever since, was held for the first time.
The Fundación Ciudad del Saber promoted the establishment of the Panama Green Building Council as part of the global network of Green Building Councils.
The Panama Business Accelerator began implementing the Panama Dynamic Entrepreneurship Support Project, with support from the IDB-MIF.
The Venture Club was created, the first organized group of angel investors in the country, making venture capital investments in innovative ventures and existing companies with global potential.
The Florida State University headquarters was inaugurated, the first building on campus transformed with glass towers to appreciate nature and views of the Canal.
By this year, the workforce of the Fundación Ciudad del Saber was made up of 70 people.
2010-2014
Culture
With the rehabilitation of the old Fort Clayton movie theater, the Ateneo de Ciudad del Saber opened its doors to a stage in which the campus came alive through culture.
In terms of sustainability, the alliance between the Fundación Ciudad del Saber and FAS Panama was formalized for the operation of the Recyclables Collection Center, and the first phase of the Parque de Los Lagos was completed, integrating and connecting its buildings. The peaceful environment of this park was chosen to erect two sculptures, commissioned to Panamanian artist Brooke Alfaro, as a tribute to the life, vision, commitment and enthusiasm of the founders of Ciudad del Saber: Fernando Eleta Almarán and Gabriel Lewis Galindo.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the deed of January 9, 1964, the streets of Ciudad del Saber were officially marked with the names of the heroes and martyrs who fought for our sovereignty.
Through music camps, jazz, film and contemporary dance festivals, visitors began to experience the campus through artistic expressions that, in addition to entertaining, serve as a means to raise awareness about the challenges facing the country and the world, whose search for solutions is the raison d'être of Ciudad del Saber.
2010
The humanitarian aid coordination work carried out by the Regional Group for Risk, Emergency and Disaster in Latin America, REDLAC, in response to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, was documented in Ciudad del Saber, Santo Domingo and Port-au-Prince by Panamanian filmmaker Abner Benaim.
This piece inaugurated the Ciudad del Saber Ateneo Theater after the rehabilitation of the old Clayton cinema. The documentary “REDLAC: Humanitarian Coordination from Ciudad del Saber” premiered at the event.
2011
The alliance between Ciudad del Saber Foundation and FAS Panama was formalized for the operation of the Recyclables Collection Center.
Full Moon of Drums summer activities were held for the first time on campus.
2012
The Panama Jazz Festival and Fundación Ciudad del Saber launched their alliance to co-produce one of the most important cultural events in the country, which since then has been held annually on campus.
A massive cultural event was held at the Ciudad del Saber's Central Quadrangle: Green Festival of Musical Culture.
A lodging complex was inaugurated, consisting of the unification of four contiguous buildings. It has 96 rooms and capacity to accommodate up to 190 people. It was the first LEED PLATINUM certified building in Panama and the fourth in Latin America by the U.S. Green Building Council. Designed by architect: Eduardo Crafig (Brazil).
2014
The Fundación Ciudad del Saber adopted a network organizational system that promotes integration, collaboration and constant learning, both within the Foundation and towards the Ciudad del Saber community. This new strategic direction was announced to the community at the [Breakpoint] event.
The Fundación Ciudad del Saber completed the first phase of the Parque de los Lagos project, in a large green space with 17 buildings built between 1940 and 1941 that housed the troops of the former Fort Clayton.
The Ciudad del Saber Ferry Terminal received LEED GOLD Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The Ciudad del Saber Innovation Center and the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB-MIF) launched the Canal de Empresarias project.
The Fundación Ciudad del Saber launched the Urban Market, a space to promote sustainable agriculture and handicraft production, as well as to create new spaces for citizen meetings and interaction.
2015-2018
We reinvented ourselves
With an established community and an environment that favors a favorable space for synergies between the different areas of work, participation in initiatives and development of new projects attracted more and more national and international attention to Ciudad del Saber.
With the support of the U.S. Embassy and with the leadership of Ciudad del Saber, Panama participated for the first time as a delegation in the prestigious NAFSA academic fair, the world's largest event for the internationalization of higher education.
The former home of the base's commander-in-chief became the House Museum, safeguarding the heritage and architectural history that tells the story of how the campus went from being a former military base to become the Ciudad del Saber.
Approaching the 20th anniversary of Decree Law No. 6 of February 10, 1998, the Fundación Ciudad del Saber began a process to adjust the mission and vision of the project to meet the demands of the moment and outline the strategy for the next 10 years.
2015
Ciudad del Saber hosted the international workshop “The Social Impact of Innovation: Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation”, in collaboration with the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP).
Ciudad del Saber Foundation organized the first TRAMA meeting to boost the creative economy in Panama.
2016
Ciudad del Saber updated its image with a new visual identity.
The alliance with the Panama International Film Festival, one of the first allies in the creative industries, began.
Ciencia en Panamá was created, a movement that seeks to popularize science and raise society's awareness of its importance.
2017
Ciudad del Saber Foundation inaugurated its new administrative offices, which reflect the identity, institutional culture and values of this NGO, highlighting among them transparency, connectivity and openness of spaces, as well as honesty and responsibility in the use of materials.
The offices are LEED Platinum certified by the Green Building Certification Institute, in the interior design category.
Innova 109 opened its doors. This dedicated space for offices and coworking desks has 400 square meters of individual offices, shared work areas, innovation and recreation rooms, as well as an auditorium for presentations.
CIEPS - International Center for Political and Social Studies was born, with the support of Ciudad del Saber.
2018
The Ciudad del Saber Interpretation Center (House Museum) opened its doors to the public, with the mission of educating and raising public awareness about the value of the site's historical, architectural and landscape heritage, and about the efforts being made to safeguard it and adapt it to new uses.
The Creative Industries Cluster was created, an initiative that seeks to concentrate and organize the actors of these industries, from the academic, business, government and international cooperation sectors.
Ciudad del Saber published the first edition of its SAPIENS magazine, a vehicle for sharing the knowledge and stories of the members of its innovative community.
It set in motion the definition of a new strategy for the decade 2018-2028, which challenges the Foundation to consolidate the progress made and, at the same time, multiply the impact of the project both on its campus and in the country, putting the mission, clients and users of Ciudad del Saber at the center of its management.
2019-2024
Developing tools
The 20th anniversary of the formal handover of Fort Clayton was commemorated with a series of activities and initiatives organized by the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
Among them, the National Charity Lottery issued a commemorative ticket for the October 30, 2019 Miercolito Gold Draw, held on campus after the traditional Flag Planting, which featured President Ernesto Pérez Balladares as flag bearer.
2019
Celebrated 20 years of the formal handover of Fort Clayton to Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
We obtained the “Coworker Members” Choice Award 2019 (CMCA) recognition as the best coworking space in Panama.
2020
Ciudad del Saber responded to the health crisis by COVID-19 through humanism, science and business.
The Central Quadrangle hosted the installation produced by TVN for “Heroes for Panama,” with 2,500 empty chairs bearing the first and last names of the people who had died from COVID-19 up to that point.
The Ministry of Culture and the Ciudad del Saber Foundation signed a cooperation agreement to implement the Information System (Sicultura).
Ciudad del Saber Foundation launched the INGENIA Fund, which supports the development and execution of cultural and creative projects on campus. This program acts as an investment mechanism in Panama's cultural and creative sector.
2021
The first period of classes of the Panama Bilingual Academy for the Future begins, with the participation of 145 students selected nationwide. This initiative is developed by the Ministry of Education of Panama with the support of Ciudad del Saber.
Ciudad del Saber Foundation officially launched the book “Voices of the City of Knowledge”, which gathers testimonies about the transformation of the former U.S. military base, located in Clayton, into what we know today as the City of Knowledge.
2022
Ciudad del Saber Foundation assumes responsibility for the Ciudad del Saber Park, after two decades of administration by the Kiwanis Sports City Board of Trustees. The space consists of green areas, sports courts, swimming pool, gym and playground for children.
Ciudad del Saber launched its Audio Guide, an initiative that aims to bring the campus closer to the public, generating a sense of belonging that only happens through knowledge and the enhancement of the historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the campus.
The annual Ciudad del Saber Open Air program kicks off for the first time, attracting tens of thousands of people to the campus, to a wide variety of cultural and community events.
2023
It was the 25th anniversary of Decree Law No. 6 of February 10, 1998, which approved the contract between the State and the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
More than 25,000 people attended the closing concert of the Panama Jazz Festival, which reached its 20th edition.
Canal de Empresarias launched its 9th annual call. Nearly 5,500 women have participated since its creation.
Today, Ciudad del Saber Foundation team is made up of +175 collaborators, in contrast to those first 11 people who joined the old Fort Clayton, to make this country project a reality.
