San Juan, February 18, 2025 - Several students of the Law School of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico will have access to supervised internships with specialized clinics in areas such as government contracting, regulation, fraud, auditing, state and federal funds, legislative procedures, litigation, research and other topics, following a comprehensive collaborative agreement signed today by Professor Ivelisse Torres Rivera, Inspector General of Puerto Rico, and Dr. Rafael Ramírez Rivera, President of the Institution.
One of the main points of the agreement is that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is committed to establishing a supervised practice center for qualified students. This is an immersive experience, in which selected students will practice several of the essential functions of the OIG, which promotes integrity, government efficiency and sound public administration.
Students who are enrolled in the Clinical Tutoring course, which is taken from the second year of studies, will be able to practice in any of the centers or departments selected by the OIG. These practicum hours supervised by an assigned professor from the School of Law and by an attorney from the practicum center will provide experiences compatible with tasks inherent to the practice of the legal profession.
In addition, the agreement between both institutions will promote training and academic development or research projects in matters related to law, auditing, control and compliance. It will also allow the organization and participation in seminars, workshops, conferences and symposiums; access to information and educational material, and the use of the facilities of both institutions for educational and research purposes.
Julio Fontanet Maldonado, dean of the School of Law, and Professor Marilina L. Wayland, rector of the Metropolitan Campus of Inter-American University, were also present at the signing of the agreement.
“This joint effort will not only positively impact the students, but will also benefit the government of Puerto Rico by having a new generation of professionals with specialized knowledge and skills in the oversight and efficient use of public resources. The OIG is nurtured by the energy, talent and innovation of these future professionals, while the students gain invaluable experience that prepares them for their careers in the public and private sectors,” said Inspector General Ivelisse Torres Rivera.
For his part, the dean of the School of Law, Dr. Julio Fontanet Maldonado, expressed his deep satisfaction with the agreement signed and added that for students and future lawyers it will be a great opportunity to work in an important institution that promotes transparency and efficiency in public service. Collaborating with the OIG will allow students to develop important skills, while at the same time rendering a service for the benefit of the country”.”
“This agreement represents a magnificent opportunity for our law students to continue acquiring a deeper vision and practice of legal work in the governmental sphere, together with a primary interest in ethics, verticality and transparency in the management of public affairs,” said Dr. Ramirez Rivera.
