El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele continues to prioritize scientific research to bolster academic and professional growth. As part of National Science and Technology Week, the government presented 14 finalist projects for the prestigious 2024 National Scientific Research Award on Wednesday.
Ana Teresa Vargas, Executive Director of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), shared that over 50 research projects vied for the award this year, with only 14 making it to the final round. “The majority of these projects focus on medical and health sciences, which is significant, as it indicates critical challenges that require solutions. El Salvador needs advancements across social, economic, and environmental sectors, and these researchers are called to contribute to that progress,” said Vargas.
The 2024 edition of the National Scientific Research Award marks its second year, witnessing a remarkable 200% increase in the number of evaluators, primarily international judges. The finalists represent diverse fields, including social sciences, medical and health sciences, engineering, technology, natural sciences, humanities and arts, agricultural sciences, and veterinary sciences.
Camila Calles, from CONACYT’s Technical Advisory Council, highlighted that 42% of El Salvador’s scientific community are women and noted that out of the 794 individuals engaged in academic research, they represent over 9% of the country’s higher education workforce.
The winning project among the 14 finalists will be announced on Friday. Through initiatives like this, President Bukele’s administration aims to strengthen the training and specialization of Salvadoran talent in science, technology, and innovation, fostering solutions to the nation’s social, economic, and environmental challenges.
This post was originally published on here
