Magallanes: High School and Higher Education Students Successfully Complete Entrepreneurship Program in Business
Students from all higher education institutions, as well as two technical high schools in Magallanes, participated in the program.
With the successful completion of the “Emprende Negocios Renovables” program, 39 participants, including higher education students, technical high school students, and faculty members, celebrated their certification as participants in a pioneering initiative in the region. The program, organized by Grupo Singular and HIF Chile with the support of Corfo, took place from April to July this year with the goal of strengthening training in renewable energy, specifically in the green hydrogen industry and its derivatives.
The program consisted of seven modules designed to address key topics such as the green hydrogen value chain, climate change, wind farm management, synthetic fuel production, business models, and entrepreneurship in the digital era, among others. Each module was led by experts in the field, providing participants with in-depth knowledge in key areas of the industry, entrepreneurship, and project development.
A visit to HIF Chile’s “Haru Oni” e-Fuels demonstration plant, the only one of its kind in the world, provided a hands-on and concrete experience on the production of synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen. This practical approach allowed participants to understand the process and real-world applications of renewable energy in the industry.
The certification ceremony was attended by local authorities, led by the Provincial Delegate of Magallanes, José Ruiz, as well as representatives from higher education and technical high schools. The event highlighted the commitment and high level of interest demonstrated by students and faculty members in the program.
Mauricio Ojeda, Manager of Grupo Singular, emphasized the program’s achievements, including the strong engagement of students and faculty, reflected in their high attendance in all seven theoretical modules and the visit to the Haru Oni plant, despite having to balance these commitments with their academic and work responsibilities. He also underscored the importance of expanding such initiatives to more students and entrepreneurs to foster local capacity and regional development in alignment with the growing renewable energy industry.
In this regard, Juan Eduardo Gallardo, Corporate Affairs Manager of HIF Chile, expressed gratitude for being part of this initiative. “This program allows us to strengthen the training of future professionals in the region in renewable energy, particularly in the emerging green hydrogen industry and its derivatives. We want to continue contributing to the comprehensive education of students, thereby generating value and skills that will help us in the decarbonization of the planet and the fight against climate change.”
María José Navajas, Director of Corfo Magallanes, shared her satisfaction with the program’s results and the enthusiasm of the participants. “These are individuals who have gained more knowledge and broadened their perspectives—whether as students and educators, regarding their future prospects in this industry, or as entrepreneurs, discovering new business opportunities or identifying existing ones that had not yet been established in the region. These initiatives are critical for integrating the local economy into the green hydrogen value chain in Magallanes.”
Additionally, Paula Beros, a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Magallanes, expressed her enthusiasm, stating that these newly acquired skills will not only enable students to enter the industry but also empower them to create businesses and startups that contribute to sustainable development.
The program was aimed at students from the University of Magallanes, INACAP, Santo Tomás, and CFT Magallanes. Students from the Liceo Industrial and Instituto Don Bosco of Punta Arenas also participated, along with some entrepreneurs and the Nobeles Australes NGO.
The diversity of participants in terms of fields of study and specializations highlighted the broad reach of renewable energy education in the region. Participants included students from Mechanical Engineering, Kinesiology, Automation and Robotics, Business Administration, Environmental Management, and other disciplines, all demonstrating strong interest in the topic and a commitment to driving sustainable growth.
The program’s lecturers included Michelle Chauveau, Head of Environmental Affairs, and Marcelo Daller, Operations Manager at Haru Oni, both from HIF Chile; Aram Pedinian, Commercial Manager, and Álvaro Olguin from HIF Global; Martín Mellado, Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Zlowenka Basic, Agricultural Engineer; Bárbara González, Head of Wind Design for Enel Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru; and Marco Avendaño, Head of O&M Wind Excellence for Chile and Latin America.
At the conclusion of the “Emprende Negocios Renovables” program, participants emphasized the need to continue fostering collaboration between the public sector, businesses, and academia in training future technicians and professionals in the field of renewable energy.