There are moments that mark a before and after. For us, the celebration of ÁNIMA’s 10th anniversary and the inauguration of ÁNIMA Campus was one of them. On May 27, we met with students, graduates, teachers, companies, authorities and allied organizations to celebrate a shared path and to begin a new stage.
What began ten years ago as an innovative Dual Training proposal in Uruguayan secondary education has become a community that continues to grow and build opportunities. Since 2016, more than 850 young people and adults have been part of ÁNIMA, carrying out more than 420 training internships, with 95% completion of High School, 60% educational continuity and 70% labor insertion.
The day began with something we are very proud of, the students hosted the event and showed, better than anyone else, what it means to be part of ÁNIMA. They welcomed each guest, handed out maps of the Campus and accompanied the different experiences and dynamics that took place in classrooms, laboratories and meeting spaces.
During the opening, Ximena Sommer, our Executive Director, shared the vision that inspires this new stage: “ÁNIMA Campus is a living space for collective learning, where students, companies, institutions and partners converge to co-create solutions that expand education and work opportunities in Uruguay”.
ÁNIMA Campus is not just a building, it is a place designed to meet, experiment, learn and build in community. A space where education, innovation and collaboration are transformed into opportunities.
The celebration was also an opportunity to listen to those who have accompanied ÁNIMA’s growth over the years.
Carlos Lecueder, a member of our Board of Directors, highlighted how ANIMA has evolved based on the needs of its students and the challenges of the present: “In this move, ANIMA has decided that it is not just a move from one building to another, but a milestone to enhance growth going forward”. And he left a reflection that resonated throughout the community: “we are not generators of AI, we are generators of HI, of human intelligence, to prepare children for the world of the future”.
Fernando Ubal, Director of Academic Management at UTU, highlighted the importance of accompanying diverse and flexible educational trajectories, and pointed out the value of ÁNIMA’s experience for the recent launch of UTU DUAL and for the joint work that both institutions are promoting around Dual Training within formal education. Juan Andrés Roballo, President of INEFOP, highlighted the collective impact built over these 10 years, emphasizing the innovative component that ÁNIMA has contributed to the articulation between education and work. He also acknowledged the commitment of students, teachers, companies and public institutions that have accompanied the growth and development of the project.
One of the most exciting moments of the morning came from those who give meaning to everything we do: our community of students and alumni.
Morena González, BT student, Yonathan Techera, FINEST student, and Lucas Sanmartino, 1st generation ÁNIMA student and FINEST graduate, shared their experiences, learning and dreams. Yonathan’s words summed up the impact we seek to generate every day: “It is incredible and I celebrate it very much because it is an opportunity for people who perhaps at this moment cannot imagine it”.
During the event we also presented certificates to students who participated in our Employability Academy, developed with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay, reaffirming our commitment to continue generating tools that strengthen the life projects of young people and adults.
Another special moment was the presentation of the collaborative mural created by students of the Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts of the Catholic University of Uruguay. A work that reflects the identity, values and history of ÁNIMA.
As a symbol of collective construction, each of the authorities and representatives who shared a few words during the event, and the community that accompanied us, left a brushstroke on the mural adding their mark to this work that will continue to grow.
Looking back, we see a decade of shared learning, challenges and achievements. As we look forward, we see new opportunities to continue innovating, building partnerships and expanding access to quality education.
Thanks to every student, graduate, teacher, collaborator, company, organization and person who has been part of these first 10 years.