The Minister of Social Development, Martín Lema, and the president of UTE, Silvia Emaldi, led the launch of the second edition of Big Bang, a competition that challenges young people to present technological projects for concrete solutions. Participants may present projects that involve the development or programming of drones. The three selected works will be awarded with a total of 3,000 dollars.
The ceremony, held on Monday 30 at the headquarters of the National Youth Institute (INJU), was attended by representatives of the organizing entities: the director of the INJU, Felipe Paullier; the counselor of the Technological University (UTEC); Rodolfo Silveira; the director of UTE, Felipe Algorta; the head of Digital Laboratories of Ceibal, Florencia Peirano; the National Director of Energy, Fitzgerald Cantero, and the Director of Sports and Youth of the Municipality of Soriano, Noemí Viera. As a representative of the 2021 winners, Brahian Nicora, from the San Carlos Institute, attended.
Lema valued the initiative and underlined the importance of technological innovation, of changing old parameters and generating jobs linked to caring for the environment.
He especially highlighted the effort, commitment and dedication of young people, who are motivated to generate learning experiences, solidarity and teamwork, apart from winning the competition. “Young people like you define us in the country and leave us with peace of mind about how careful we will be in the future,” she reflected.
The president of UTE, meanwhile, explained that the competition is open to students between the ages of 14 and 29 from all over the country who will take on the challenge of developing concrete solutions linked to people’s daily activities. In particular, she expressed UTE’s interest in having drones that allow the inspection of medium and high voltage power lines. “It is an initiative that seeks to develop teamwork, creativity, solidarity and innovation,” she added.
The competition will take place at the headquarters of Liceo No. 1 in the city of Mercedes, department of Soriano, on October 1 and 2, 2022. Entries can be made at inju.gub.uy until August 31 inclusive.
