What we do?

Coming from Economics, Business Engineering and Information Engineering, students developed a proposal to address the limited availability of drinking water, recognized as one of the best in the region. 

A multidisciplinary team from the Universidad del Pacifico (UP) has qualified to the final stage of the “China-Latin America 2025 Youth Challenge to Alleviate Poverty,” an international challenge co-organized by Tsinghua University and other leading institutions (*), often considered the “Harvard of Asia”. The students’ proposal seeks to mitigate the lack of drinking water in various regions of Peru and was selected as one of the most outstanding projects in Latin America. The group will represent the country in the final round, to be held in Chile. 

 The team is composed by:

•  Frida Irene Conislla Huaracc (Economics – 3rd semester)
•  Rosa Soledad Llaccta Torres (Business Engineering – 4th semester)
•  Marisol Vizurraga Rivera (Information Engineering – 8th semester)
•  Jamil Andre Llaury Armas (Economics – 3rd semester)​

A proposal with impact

Aware that poverty is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, students embraced this international challenge with the aim of generating viable solutions to real problems affecting vulnerable populations. “We are motivated by the ideas that our project can contribute to a positive social impact, and that this experience will help us grow as professionals committed to change,” they said. 

The team focused its research on the lack of access to drinking water, a reality that still affects more than 10% of Peru’s population. After a detailed analysis, they identified that regions such as Metropolitan Lima, Loreto and Puno present serious challenges in accessing this essential resource. In response, they proposed solutions adapted to each context: the use of atmospheric water generations for coastal urban areas, and portable filters for rural communities. “From the beginning we had a clear goal: to make this vital resource accessible to all Peruvians and, through it, contribute to the achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”

From diagnosis to action

One of the main challenges was to define a concrete problem that would reflect a critical expression of poverty while also allowing technical and applicable solutions. “More than a proposal, we wanted to build an idea with purpose and impact”, they affirmed.

Although they had no direct contact with other teams during the preliminary stage, they were aware they were competing alongside students from high-level universities such as the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and the Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro in Brasil. “That was a great motivation to give our best and rise to the challenge,” they said. 

Academic training with social focus

Students highlighted that the training received from the Universidad del Pacifico was fundamental to face this challenge. They emphasized critical thinking, resilience, and purpose-driving leadership as key competencies developed throughout their time at the university. “The UP has taught us to face challenges with an analytical and committed mindset, “ they expressed. 

The team also received close support from the Center for China and Asia-Pacific Studies (CECHAP), through the researcher Nifta Sugey Lau Ibarras. “Her guidance was essential from the start: she supported us with readings, discussions, and recommendations that strengthened every stage of the process,” they noted. 

Each member contributed from their field of expertise. Rosa, from Business Engineering, highlighted the value of the Academic Research course in structuring the project clearly. Marisol, from Information Engineering, highlighted her analytical foundation and the research rigor of her career as key tools for the technical development of the proposal. Meanwhile, Jamil and Frida, both Economics students, emphasized quantitative training and the understanding of social dynamics as essential strengths. “Courses like Political Science and Sociology were crucial to address the problem from a comprehensive perspective,” added Frida. 

On the road to Chile

With enthusiasm and commitment, the team is preparing for the final stage in Chile. They are currently working on reinforcing the technical foundations of their proposal and refining their presentation to communicate with clarity and conviction. “We are preparing for different possible scenarios, aiming to consolidate a solid and transformative project”. 

Qualification for the final not only recognized the talent of UP students, but also their commitment to addressing the most urgent social challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, academic rigor and a vision oriented toward the common good, they have demonstrated that it is possible to generate innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the structural gaps in our society. 

This achievement reaffirms the Universidad del Pacifico’s commitment to training professionals capable of leading high-impact initiatives and contributing actively to the development of both the country and the world.