The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER), through its Social Action area, announces the five finalists of the first phase of the International Pre-University Prize – FUNIBER Research.
Among the 30 research projects received, a team of faculty members from the academic network, in which FUNIBER operates, reviewed and selected the five finalist projects that will advance to the next stage of the prize.
The selection process evaluated the projects based on originality, creativity, and academic rigor, as well as the relevance and significance of the topic addressed.
The five finalist projects are:
- Encosta 2030 – Instituto Politécnico do Sumbe – Prof. Fernando Baptista Ferreira
- Effects of Plastic Nanoparticle Pollution on Aquatic Plants (Elodea ssp.) – ISM Campus North – Prof. Miguel Sánchez
- Determinants of Access to Dental Services and Basic Oral Hygiene Resources in Rural Communities of Azuay – Unidad Educativa Particular Borja – Prof. Maria Eulalia Vargas Sicha
- Estigmatização académica em institutos técnicos de saúde: desafios, impactos psicossociais e propostas de promoção de um ambiente educativo inclusivo – Instituto Técnico Privado de Saúde Vitalis – Prof. Isaías Canutula Loth Cossengue
- Sustainable Technology: ECOBOT and School Waste Management at Colegio Americano de Cali – Colegio Americano de Cali – Prof. Juan Sebastian Cardona Corredor
UNIC Special Prize
- Sistema Híbrido Hidrelétrico–Eólico como Estratégia Sustentável para a Eletrificação das Zonas Rurais em Angola – Instituto Politécnico do Sumbe
- Incentivar a mineração de matérias geológicos para correção de solos e para produção de fertilizantes – Instituto Politécnico Professor Estevão Nhime
UNIROMANA Special Prize
- Dimensions of Youth Service: Phenomenology in La Romana and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 2026 – Escuela Hogar del Niño
- Proposal for the Replacement of Petroleum-Derived Plastics with Plant-Based Bioplastics – Centro Educativo Evangélico Sinaí
The finalists for the international prize must orally defend their projects before the jury on April 21st. The defense will take place virtually. Any finalist project that does not participate in the oral defense will not be eligible for any prize.
The teams of the finalist projects for the special prizes must defend their projects in person.
International Pre-University Prize – FUNIBER Research
The FUNIBER Research Prize is supported by the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), the Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (International University of Cuanza, UNIC), the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana de México (International Iberoamerican University of Mexico, UNINI México), the Fundación Universitaria Internacional de Colombia (International University Foundation of Colombia, UNINCOL), the Universidad de La Romana (University of La Romana, UNIROMANA), and the Universidade Internacional Iberoamericana (International Iberoamerican University, UNIB).
The purpose is to encourage research and knowledge with a positive social impact. This call for entries aims to recognize projects that explore transformative proposals for addressing current challenges. Our goal is to reinforce the ethics and commitment of future professionals to society and their awareness of the social impact of science. We also seek to promote critical and scientific thinking among younger generations.
The topics addressed sought solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.