A science and technology camp for youth run by the Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá (UTP) has received a major international award. The “Technology Camp for Youth in STEM” was honored with the “Call for the Common Good” Community Prize by the World Energy Council during its global energy week held in Panama City.
The project, spearheaded by Dr. Jessica Guevara and Dr. Vanessa Quintero, was one of only four initiatives selected worldwide from a pool of fifty applicants. It competed against proposals from several European nations, including Austria, France, and Germany. The award was ultimately chosen by the World Energy Council members during the October 6-9 event.
“Our project was one of the four initiatives selected globally, among 50 submissions, competing with proposals from Austria, France and Germany. It was then chosen by the WEC members during the World Energy Week,” [Translated from Spanish] explained Dr. Guevara, a researcher with UTP’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
This recognition highlights Panama’s growing role in fostering the next generation of energy experts. It also underscores a significant achievement for the country’s academic sector on the international stage.
Empowering the Next Generation of Energy Leaders
Organized through the Multidisciplinary Center for Science, Engineering and Technology Studies (Cemcit AIP), the camp aims to spark interest in engineering careers among high school students. A key objective involves promoting gender equity within scientific and technological fields, areas often facing significant gender gaps. Since its creation, the program has trained more than 175 eleventh and twelfth grade students from public and private schools across seven provinces.
The initiative aligns with the World Energy Council’s global theme of “Humanizing Energy.” It actively promotes core values like teamwork, creativity, and a deeper understanding of energy’s role in social development. Camp participants get hands-on experience by developing projects related to solar power, wind energy, biogas, and electric mobility, all under the guidance of university mentors.
“The success of the Technology Camp for Youth in STEM demonstrates that the most powerful energy is that of shared knowledge. Our youth are the energy of the future, and their talent shows that Panama can lead, from innovation and cooperation, the energy transition,” [Translated from Spanish] emphasized Dr. Quintero, an associate researcher at Cemcit AIP.
A Prestigious Honor for Community Impact
The World Energy Prize distinguishes projects with the greatest social impact within the council’s international network each year. Specifically, the “Call for the Common Good” category recognizes initiatives that foster partnerships between academia, government, private companies, and local communities. These partnerships are celebrated for generating shared value and strengthening the global shift toward sustainable energy with a human-centric approach.
This award-winning project did not operate in isolation. It received crucial support from a coalition of national and international organizations. Key backers included the World Energy Council Panama Committee, Cemcit AIP, the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt), and several private sector electrical companies. This collaborative model is itself a testament to the project’s award-winning philosophy.
Panama is making concurrent strides in other major infrastructure and development areas. The country continues to advance significant projects that reshape its landscape and economy. Recent progress on metro system demonstrates this ongoing commitment to national development.
The UTP camp’s international win signals a positive direction for Panama’s scientific and technological capabilities. By investing in STEM education today, the country is actively building a skilled workforce capable of tackling tomorrow’s energy challenges. This homegrown program proves that local initiatives can achieve global recognition while making a tangible difference in the lives of young people.