The universities of the Canary Islands want to lead innovation in public infrastructure in the archipelago

The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of La Laguna, through their Social Councils, and with the initiative and support of the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Mobility of the Government of the Canary Islands, are launching the first edition of the 'Archipiéla-Go' Innovation Awards, which aim to encourage undergraduate and master's students (especially those enrolled in the areas of engineering, architecture, environment, geography, land management and urban planning) to carry out innovative projects in the field of public works, housing, mobility and nautical and coastal management in the archipelago.

Thus, the competition emerges as a platform that will allow both public universities and the Canary Islands Government's Ministry of Public Works, Housing, and Mobility to lead innovation in important infrastructure projects on the islands, as well as in the areas of housing, mobility, and coastal protection. Each university, through its Social Council, will award prizes to projects submitted in four main areas:

• Innovation in mobility: projects that propose innovative solutions for transport and sustainable mobility.
• Innovation in public works: initiatives that improve energy efficiency, sustainability and modernization in public infrastructure.
• Innovation in housing: projects that address new technologies, designs or sustainable models in the field of housing construction and management.
• Innovation in nautical and coastal management: projects that provide innovative solutions for the protection, preservation and sustainable development of the coasts.

This awards program, launched this academic year, represents a joint effort by the two public universities and the Government of the Canary Islands to connect university learning with the needs of the islands' productive and social sectors. Furthermore, it aims to foster the creativity and innovation of university students in the Canary Islands, enabling them to develop sustainable solutions to the most pressing challenges in the region's key infrastructure, as well as in the housing sector and in developing more efficient mobility plans and projects. In this way, universities, public administrations, and the business community strengthen their relationship.

These awards are part of a broader initiative promoted by the Ministry of Public Works, Housing, and Mobility to foster hands-on learning through specialized seminars, technical visits to major infrastructure projects across the archipelago, and meetings with industry professionals. This experience-based training model reinforces the commitment of the Canary Islands' public universities to education that aligns with the needs of the job market.

At the awards ceremony, the Rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Lluís Serra, pointed out that universities must be able to respond to the challenges of our environment. "We are convinced that our mission goes beyond the classroom, and these awards aim to encourage our students to develop innovative projects with real-world applications in our infrastructure." The Vice-Rector for Students at the University of La Laguna (ULL), Rosario Hernández, added that public universities are training experts "who will make life easier for citizens, and initiatives like this one, promoted by the Regional Ministry and the social councils, offer us the opportunity to train our students through practical activities, such as visiting important infrastructure projects on our islands.".

For his part, Councilor Pablo Rodríguez emphasized that this initiative aims to provide firsthand knowledge of the most innovative projects, "allowing participants to tour the construction sites, speak with the professionals who make them possible, and, above all, discover that the Canary Islands offer real opportunities to develop their talent, without having to look elsewhere for what we can build together here. This is a unique opportunity not only to broaden their knowledge but also to envision their professional future within the islands. Having such direct experience with the sector's most relevant projects provides extra motivation for their training and a real boost on their path to the working world," Rodríguez stated.

The president of the ULPGC Social Council, Ana Suárez, praised the formula of this project, “which is a win-win”Where we can show how the knowledge and talent of universities offer innovative, creative, and distinct solutions. Real solutions to real problems. This is an initiative where the learning process is more valuable than the prize itself.“ In that sense, and also in a message shared with the president of the ULL Social Council, Francisco Almeida, he emphasized that ”the participation of the social councils in this project exemplifies our role as links between university and society.“.