Costa Rica. The Latin American University of Science and Technology (ULACIT) was recognized as a leading family business in Latin America by the Latin American Association of Family Businesses (ILAEF) and the Argentine Association of Family Businesses (IADEF), at the IX edition of the awards they deliver within the framework of the celebration. of the International Family Business Day.
The distinction for ULACIT is in the category of Generational Relay and Leadership of Women in the Family Business. The event took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was broadcast through the web to all of Latin America.
This is the first time that a Costa Rican family business has been recognized in these prestigious awards, which have been held for Argentina and Latin America since 2013 and aim to distinguish Family Businesses, Institutions and related Academics who make significant contributions to the society, through research, professionalization, innovation and social responsibility. “This tribute pays tribute to the efforts of my parents, Vilma Montero and Álvaro Castro-Harrigan, who founded ULACIT in 1987 and laid the foundations on which we build our work every day,” said Silvia Castro, president of the ULACIT Board of Directors.
“Almost four decades later, ULACIT is a leading institution in Costa Rica, ranked as the best private university in the country for eleven consecutive years in the QS Latin America University Rankings. And it is a university that highlights the value of women, not only in my case, who served as rector for twenty years and now preside over its Board of Directors, but throughout the entire institution, where our current rector, Marianela Núñez, stands out. , and the other outstanding women in teaching and administrative positions ”, added Castro.
These awards are awarded on the International Day of Family Business, a world day that aims to raise awareness in society and public and private institutions about the importance of family businesses for the socio-economic, political and cultural development of any country. Eight out of 10 SMEs are family businesses, which are also responsible for generating more than 75% of the world’s GDP. This type of company has a very positive impact on society: it generates wealth, employment and culture, assuming a high commitment to its staff, the environment and long-term projects, transmitting family values to companies.
“The awards are aimed at recognizing the effort and work of Familias Empresarias and their professionals, who show us that it is possible to be successful and ethical,” said Alicia Stivelberg, Director of the Awards Program. “We believe that through public recognition, as well as the promotion and dissemination of these examples, indicators are established for a true transformation of society,” he added.
In January 2021, ULACIT took an important turn in its governance model, by forming a Board of Directors, chaired by Silvia Castro and made up of five prominent directors from outside the institution, who guide the university’s management team, led by Alex Fernández, CEO of ULACIT, and Marianela Núñez, the rector of the institution.
Maintaining the quality and prestige that has made ULACIT recognized as the best private university in the country and the preferred one by employers for eleven consecutive years in the QS Latin America University Rankings, the institution has set out to increase its student population, always attracting the best students and the most experienced faculty.
“This award is an incentive to continue doing things well and to make ULACIT an excellent university at the service of the country,” Castro concluded.
Source. Central American and Caribbean Digital Newspaper
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