Manuel Cardona, a Salvadoran robotics expert who pursued a Ph.D. in robotics at the University of Madrid, Spain, has returned to his homeland to launch the Steam Robotics Academy. Motivated by the recent implementation of the Innovation and Manufacturing of Technologies Promotion Law, Cardona aims to enhance technological knowledge among children and youth.

The Steam Robotics Academy is an ambitious educational project designed to nurture talented young minds and mold them into future leaders. Cardona, serving as the academy’s director general, revealed that currently, 70 children aged four to 13 are enrolled in their robotics courses.

«I lived in Spain and was tempted by job offers, but I decided to return to the country because I want to leave a legacy and contribute to the transformation we are undergoing. I urge colleagues abroad to consider contributing. With so much talent scattered worldwide, we welcome them here to build a new nation,» expressed Cardona.

The academy provides a comprehensive learning environment where students develop skills in computational thinking, logic, physics, and mathematics – essential components of their curriculum.

Cardona emphasized that the approval of the Innovation and Technological Manufacturing Promotion Law has significantly bolstered the country’s development, serving as support for researchers and scientists looking to establish their ventures.

«It’s a very good law that will enable us to harness talent with capability. Government support brings benefits to motivate, provide guarantees, and, above all, the support for us to succeed,» explained Cardona.

Highlighting El Salvador’s potential as a competitive nation offering significant technological alternatives, Cardona called for unity among proud Salvadorans. «One of the essential elements for success as a nation is unity to become better and more competitive. We all need to come together. El Salvador has immense talent in all areas; we are all in the same boat,» he emphasized.

Salvador Gómez Góchez, the president of the Investment and Export Promotion Agency in El Salvador (Invest), commended the initiative, stating that they support such investments as they contribute to services for businesses, factories, and the learning experiences of children and youth.

«We have visited the Steam Robotics Academy to witness what Dr. Manuel Cardona has brought to El Salvador to provide new knowledge. This stems from the impetus given by President Nayib Bukele through the innovation and technology law to all the human talent in El Salvador and the world,» detailed Gómez.