CAF to award technological research prize

The Andean Development Corporation announced today the launch of the second edition of the CAF Prize for Technological Research, which this year consists of a diploma and $25,000.

Executive president of the CAF, Enrique García, said this second award of the prize confirms the institution’s mission to stimulate research into important areas of competitiveness for the Andean countries, linked to their development agendas. To be eligible, research projects must involve the implementation of a competitive advantage model that generates value added in productive processes, based on knowledge, technology, specialization and innovation.

The CAF Prize for Technological Research was created on the 30th anniversary of activities of this international financial institution. The prize went to Venezuelan researcher Hercilio Rivas for his contribution to the development of competitive processes in hydrocarbons, including the creation of Orimulsion, a fuel with a lower environmental impact than coal and other petroleum products.

Researchers and technologists from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela who work in public or private institutions in their respective countries are eligible to enter the selection process.

Candidates are first selected by national juries and then go on for final selection by the regional jury. The choice of judges is based on the highest criteria of excellence and impartiality in line with international practice. The winning researcher or technologist will receive the prize from CAF President Enrique García in a ceremony in Caracas on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Corporation.

Stimulus for creativity and development With the Prize for Technological Research, the CAP expressly recognizes this area of knowledge, and aims to stimulate the formative process of the men and women who devote their creative efforts to the search for solutions to the economic and social problems that affect the region, bearing in mind that the Andean countries have very low competitiveness indicators in science and technology.

The prize is evidence of the Corporation’s decisive support for initiatives to improve indicators of excellence and quality in education and economic and social development, which are directly related to higher levels of competitiveness.