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The UTEC (Technological University) in Durazno, Uruguay, has launched an initiative to help young people in the region, including the rural areas of Florida and Colonia, continue in the education system. In coordination with organizations, such as the National Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, an intensive activity in 2022 began to be outlined, led by UTEC students and accompanied by their professors, to keep these young people in school by enhancing their knowledge of dairy production, the use of water and sustainable resources.
Over 30 students from five educational institutions and 30 educators participated in the ‘Bootcamp’ experience. It provided intensive training in technologies applied to dairy production and industry for young people between 16 and 23 in the South-Central region.
The initiative of UTEC students and professors sparked the interest and encouraged rural youths to complete their secondary education to continue —in most cases— their training at the university. To achieve this, the initiative included an exhibition of the work done in the surrounding areas, visiting rural youth groups and inviting them to participate in the dairy camp with curricular content necessary to develop the dairy production activity in the area. UTEC students and professors prepared workshops to work together with the rural youth participating in the camp. In addition, recreational and cultural activities were proposed, which encouraged the interchange and guidance between the participants.
The ‘Bootcamp’ initiative was one of the 2022 winners of the Solidarity Education Contest in Uruguay. More information [in Spanish]: https://www.dges.edu.uy/comunicacion/noticias/experiencias-aprendizaje-servicio-solidario-uruguay