The Great Hall of the Salesian School of Zaragoza hosted the closing ceremony of the Don Bosco National Award, the culmination of two intense days in which the talent, effort and innovative capacity of students and young people were once again highlighted.
With the 51 projects submitted this year to the national competition, over 1,000 projects have participated in all editions.
The Don Bosco National Award is an appointment that fosters the innovative abilities of young people and increases their awareness of the importance of research and the possibilities they have to improve society.
This year, the 15 works of youthful ingenuity that were awarded overall in the various categories include an automated "Robot graffiti artist" with a scalable and versatile wall printing system; an application that acts as an investment fund that operates in the crypto-currency market and through machine learning makes predictions about future market prices; a study on improving levels of CH2O, CO2 and volatile organic compounds obtained in different environments through the presence of plants; and another research on the relationship between the gut microbiota and inflammatory bowel disease, evaluating the effectiveness of different treatments that modulate the immune system.
While the 2022 Commitment Award, which is granted to a company or institution committed to the event, went to Endesa, and was presented by the Director of the Security and Defense Coordination and Studies Division, Colonel José Luis Calvo, who had received it in the last edition.
The event, broadcast online, was followed live by participants from their schools and was hosted by journalist Juanjo Hernández. Fr Juan Bosco Sancho, Rector of the Salesian House and Director of the Don Bosco National Award, then welcomed the participants, wishing that "next year you can all be here in Zaragoza and celebrate in presence," and addressing a thought of peace in these sad days for all.
The winners were then nominated and the opening of the 36th edition of the Don Bosco National Award was announced. On this occasion, Minister Faci also intervened, taking the opportunity to underline the importance of innovation in Vocational Training and the change expected by the world of Education, to be accomplished also by involving the world of business.
The Don Bosco Award is a recognition of entrepreneurship, teamwork and innovation. Since its inception in 1984, this competition has made important contributions in the field of education and in the relationship between the academic and business worlds. The Award has brought prestige to the world of Vocational Training, showcasing the best side of this training option, which proves to be able to prepare tomorrow's professionals for the demands of the labor market. It has also succeeded in involving public institutions, universities and companies, all to the benefit of technological innovation promoted by young people. In fact, the Don Bosco Prize has also become a showcase for entrepreneurial initiatives applicable to future business projects.
