Seven projects of Guatemalan university students were recognized with the ILAN 2024 Awards. From an educational tool for visually impaired children and a portable ultrasound device, to the creation of innovative ecological woods and building materials applicable both on Earth and in future lunar bases, the award-winning projects reflect the efforts and commitment of young Guatemalans to use technology and sustainability to generate a positive impact on society. What a squeaky man.
Items of the note
- About the award
- The award-winning students
The creativity and social commitment of future professionals in Guatemala were recognized at the ILAN 2024 Awards, held on November 6 in the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez auditorium of the Francisco Marroquín University. These awards, awarded by the Israel Latin American Network Foundation, serve as a platform to recognize innovative talent and offer visibility to outstanding projects, facilitating them to obtain the necessary support to promote and continue their innovation processes.
This year more than 80 proposals from seven universities in the country were evaluated and among them 14 were highlighted with first and second place. In addition to the recognition, a member of each team will have the opportunity to travel to Israel in 2025 to get to know the country’s innovation model, explore its ecosystem, and establish connections to related projects. This experience seeks to promote the implementation of solutions in Guatemala and maximize their social impact.
The award-winning students
University of San Carlos
- First place to the Dream Eyes project
Smart camera that opens up a world of possibilities for children with visual disabilities, allowing them to learn in an easy and intuitive way. Created by Norman Josue Vega Obando and Cesar Armando Pérez Siguantay.
- Second place to VR Learn
Capactions with immersive virtual reality for training in practical and effective industrial safety. Created by Alexander Santiago Ceballos Gil, José Manuel López Lemus, Juan Pablo Samayoa Ruíz, Kenneth Isaí Aquino Ortíz, Bruce Carbonell Castillo Cifuentes and Javier António Cerón Rosales (advisory fafes).
Rafael Landívar University
- First place: Zero Waste Tank
Anaerobic tank that converts organic waste into renewable resources for agro-industries and rural communities. Created by Damaris Celeste Grijalva Zepeda, Fabiola Marisol Ramírez Ordoñez, Keily Daniela Donis Gonzalez, María de los Angeles Lucero Montoya and Gerardo Oswaldo Ortiz Vanegas.
- Second place: Sowing Hope
System of access to safe drinking water and food. Its objective is to improve the nutrition and quality of life of its inhabitants through sustainable and supportive solutions. Created by José Ricardo Sosa Torres.
University of the Valley of Guatemala
- First place: Ash of Bagazo de Canaña for Earth Conglomerator and Regolito Analogue Simulated for Lunar Bases.
An innovative construction material inspired by lunar regolith, reusing agricultural waste to reduce environmental impact. Creators: Krista Carolina Vásquez Almírez, José Carlos Angel García and Valeria Fernanda Sierra Cano and Gamaliel Zambrano.
- Second place: BioPhoenix
Process to extract silicon dioxide from sugar cane bagasse ashes, transforming a residue into a value product. Creators: Christian Joseph Smith Morales, Adriana Cecilia De Paz Novoa, Javier Alejandro Nájera De Paz, Luis Pablo Avila Alvarado and Giovanni Alessandro Jiménez Román
Francisco Marroquín University
- First place: Q.aq. EcoLeño
Ecological wood, made from recycled materials, sawdust and paraffin, as an alternative to traditional firewood for the use of cooking and energy source. Don’t break in with the culture and customs of cooking with traditional firewood. Created by Adrian Contreras.
- Second place: VitaSalud IGSS
Application that facilitates access to health services offered by the IGSS, improving the user experience through a digital platform to locate nearby health centers, schedule appointments, administer medicines and doses, among other essential services. Creators: George Albadr, Nicolas Staackmann, José Nufio and Francisco Ovalle.
University of the Isthmus:
- First place: Sensei
A smart and compact monitoring device that measures environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and specific gases, to optimize the management of perishable products in agriculture and other sectors. Created by Gabriel Eduardo Cuá Fagiani.
- Second place: Sotz
A portable ultrasound device, which with artificial intelligence seeks to provide medical service to hard-to-reach communities, and that can identify patterns in which they can be described on the basis of a yes or no to know if they need specialized medical services. Creators: Luis David Serrano Conde (UNIS), Oliver Josué de León Milian (UVG), Julio Andrés Ávila García-Salas (UVG) and Alberto Josué Hernández Armas (USAC).
Galileo University
- First Place-Category Prototype: SIMAT
System of monitoring and early warning for rivers, helping to prevent environmental risks. Creator: Francisco Colmenares and Freddy Velásquez.
- Second Place-Category Idea: CLEB
Biodefectant biodemated with bacteriophages, which is effective and sustainable, minimizing environmental impact compared to conventional products with toxic solvents. Created by: Cristian José Fernando Marroquín Concogua, Soraya Elizabeth Chitay Medina, Hans Alexander Garcia Rodriguez, Karen Michelle Moscoso Muñoz and Naomy Stephania Hernández Quel.
Pan American University
- First Place-Category Prototype: Analysis of Obstetric Ultrasounds with AI
Diagnostic technology for rural areas, facilitating access to health care. Created by:
Mateo Juan Gaspar and Michael Alexander Martín Martínez
- Second Place-Category Idea: ECOBIN – Smart Garbage for a Sustainable Future
This article was translated after appearing in guatamala.com