There are weeks that really stick in the memory. Madrid International Week 2026 was one such week for the EDUCA EDTECH Foundation.
During those days, the Foundation played an active role in one of the group’s most important events: with the first presentation of the Academic Excellence Awards, a session to preview our white paper, and the promotion of the AVANZA Scholarships amongst those in attendance. Three different occasions, one common purpose: to demonstrate that online education fosters knowledge, talent and real impact.
A first-ever awards ceremony to remember
The moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived on Friday. Viridiana López, director of the Foundation, presented the first awards to the Academic Excellence in the history of the EDUCA EDTECH Foundation.
What appeared to be a simple award ceremony turned into something much greater. In her speech, Viridiana spoke about what excellence really means – not as a destiny reserved for the few, but as an attitude, a way of approaching hard work and opportunities. It was a speech which, in the words of those who were there, left a lasting impression.
Hearing the winners’ stories was the best illustration of all this.
The recognised projects
Five academic works – a Bachelor’s dissertation, a Master’s dissertation and a doctoral thesis – were recognised in this first edition, one for each area of specialisation:
— Exact and Natural Sciences: Safarana Baksh, for her Master’s thesis on the climatic factors that determine the temperature in Guyana using satellite data and machine learning. Safarana was unable to attend, but was mentioned during the ceremony and will receive its certificate.
— Biological and Health Sciences: Ismael Díaz Reina, for his final-year project on the thermoregulatory capacity of the common poppy.
— Education and Learning Sciences: Silvia Maria Mendoza Salgado, for her doctoral thesis on the students’ digital skills and soft skills new enrolment in distance learning.
— Information and Communication Technologies: Trenton Fowler, for his Master’s thesis on a document intelligence platform capable of analysing 50,000 scientific articles in natural language.
— Social and Legal Sciences: Valeria Lucatelli, by Little shoes, a modular children’s footwear system and adjustable to accommodate the foot as it grows.
The interviews: the people behind the projects
Beyond the ceremony itself, our time at the SIM gave us something that cannot be planned for: the chance to meet the award winners in person. To talk to them, listen to their stories, and understand the journey behind each piece of research. It was thrilling.
We recorded interviews with each of them – genuine moments in which each person explained what led them to undertake their research, what they discovered along the way, and what this recognition means to them. These videos will be posted on our social media channels soon. And with Valeria Lucatelli, the founder of Zapatiños, we went one step further: We recorded a full episode for Generación EDTECH, the Foundation’s podcast, where we were able to explore his project, his process and his vision in greater depth. Coming soon.
And what we took away most from those moments was the genuine gratitude shown by each and every one of them. Not just for the recognition itself, but for the feeling that their work matters, that there is someone who sees it and is committed to raising its profile. That is exactly what the Foundation aims to build.
A preview of the white paper and the AVANZA scholarships
The Foundation’s presence at the SIM was not limited to the gala. A round-table discussion on soft skills was held during the event and, before it began, the moderator shared a preview of some of the key insights from the Foundation’s 2026 White Paper, Soft Skills in the Age of AI, a small preview of what will be officially unveiled on 12 November.
In addition, attendees were able to find out about the AVANZA Scholarships, a training opportunity for those who wish to continue developing professionally.
A first edition we won’t forget
SIM 2026 provided the perfect setting to launch the Academic Excellence Awards. Not only because of the event’s scope, but also because of what it represents: that academic talent has a place on the global stage, alongside professionals, institutions and organisations from all over the world.
We’ve gathered many stories, but even more reasons to keep believing in what we do. We’re celebrating this first edition and we’ll see you in 2027.
