Montecristi.-President Luis Abinadera confirmed this Saturday that the development experienced by the province of Montecristi, driven by the transformation of the port of Manzanillo and the Government's strategic investments, represents a historic opportunity for the present and future of thousands of young Dominicans.

The statements were offered during a luncheon-meeting with students from public high schools and private schools in the province of Montecristi, held at the Ramón Montante Castillo multipurpose facility, where the president held an open dialogue with young people about education, employment, technology and the growth prospects of the province.

During his speech, the head of state explained that the modernization of the port of Manzanillo will turn Montecristi into one of the main logistics, industrial, energy and tourist centers in the Dominican Republic, which will generate a growing demand for trained professionals in different areas.

President Abinader highlighted that the new port will offer important competitive advantages for exports to the United States, reducing transportation times and attracting new investments, free zones and industries that will boost the economy of the entire region.

“Montecristi is one of the provinces with the greatest present and, above all, the greatest future of the Dominican Republic,” said the president when urging students to prepare for high-demand careers, especially in technology, electrical engineering, electromechanics, electronics, computing and other disciplines linked to digital transformation.

Likewise, he pointed out that the development of the province will not be limited to the logistics and industrial area, but will continue to be strengthened with the growth of agriculture, the expansion of tourism through new hotel projects and the development of airport infrastructure, creating greater opportunities for new generations.

In educational matters, the president reported that he instructed the Ministry of Education to carry out a study on the number of young people who graduate each year from the educational centers of Montecristi, with the purpose of defining the university and technical offer that the province requires. In addition, he expressed his interest in strengthening the presence of institutions such as Infotep, ITLA and UASD so that young people can continue their training without having to move to other provinces.

During the meeting, the students asked questions related to the installation of a permanent Infotep center, the expansion of the offer of technical careers, the conversion of high schools into polytechnics, the improvement of school infrastructure, access to university scholarships, digital connectivity, the teaching of artificial intelligence, the strengthening of education in values ​​and the support for technological projects developed by young people.

Expansion of the offer of technical careers based on the productive needs of each region

When responding to concerns, the Minister of Education, Luis Miguel De Camps, reported that the Government is carrying out a national audit of school infrastructure to intervene in a timely manner in schools that require it. Likewise, he announced that the incorporation of new polytechnics, the strengthening of high school equipment and the expansion of the offer of technical careers based on the productive needs of each region are being evaluated.

De Camps also highlighted that the Ministry will implement the National Digital Education Strategy, which contemplates the training of students and teachers in computational thinking and artificial intelligence, in addition to continuing to strengthen connectivity and access to technological tools in the country's educational centers.

The official also highlighted that the Government is working on mechanisms that facilitate the financing of innovation and entrepreneurship projects developed by students with the potential to become productive initiatives.

Also present at the activity were the provincial governor of Montecristi, Leissa Virginia Cruz Polanco, directors of different educational districts, legislators; mayors and other civil and educational authorities of the province.

At the end of the meeting, President Luis Abinader, together with the Minister of Education, Luis Miguel De Camps, gave a laptop to each of the participating students, in recognition of the academic merits achieved and their outstanding academic performance.

The delivery constitutes a stimulus to effort, academic excellence and student leadership, while reaffirming the Government's commitment to continue promoting quality education, with greater training and development opportunities for Dominican youth.