The talent of public school students in Puerto Rico is celebrated with the first presentation of the Azmat A. Assur Award for Future Academics in STEM.
Four outstanding students from Puerto Rico’s public education system were recognized on May 9, 2025, with the Azmat A. Assur Award for Future Academics in STEM, a new distinction that promotes young talent in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) on the island.
Each student received a $5,000 award to support their first year of university studies at a local higher education institution, thanks to the collaboration between the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT) and the Azmat A. Assur Foundation. The award ceremony was held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan and was attended by the award recipients and their families.
This year, out of a total of 93 applicants, four students were selected for the award: Jerialys Febus Ocasio from University Gardens High School in San Juan, who will begin a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus; Paul Bird Rivera from the Centro Residencial de Oportunidades Educativas de Ceiba (CROEC), admitted to the bachelor’s program in Electrical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus; Alejandra Tantao Torres from the Centro Residencial de Oportunidades Educativas de Villalba (CROEV), who will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus; and Joseángel Fonseca Pérez from Luis Muñoz Rivera High School in Utuado, accepted into the bachelor’s program in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. All of them stood out for their academic excellence, leadership in their communities, and commitment to the scientific and technological development of the country.
“We are grateful to have partners such as the Azmat A. Assur Foundation to make these transformative efforts possible. These young people represent the present and future of Puerto Rican innovation. Their dedication and excellence inspire us and further commit us to our mission of democratizing access to STEM opportunities for all sectors of the country. These partnerships and opportunities align with our mission to invest in, facilitate, and develop the capabilities needed to continuously advance Puerto Rico’s economy and the well-being of its citizens through innovation-, science-, technology-, research-, and public health-based enterprises,” said Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer of PRSTRT.
The award, which will be granted annually to four different students over the next five years, aims to highlight and support talented students from the public education system who plan to pursue STEM studies at local universities. The initiative not only provides financial support but also seeks to foster a sense of belonging and pride within the country’s emerging scientific community.
“The purpose of these awards is to make the achievements of our public school students visible and ensure they are recognized by important figures in the scientific field in Puerto Rico,” stated Dr. Frances Zenón, Associate Director of the STEM Education Program at PRSTRT. “The goal is for them to develop a STEM identity that inspires this and future generations to pursue careers in science here in Puerto Rico.”
The selection of the award recipients was carried out by the judging committee established by the PRSTRT STEM Education and Workforce Development Program, composed of distinguished professionals, educators, and scientists. The process included multiple evaluation stages, from applications and essays to an interview round with ten finalists, from whom the four winners were selected. Criteria included academic excellence, student leadership, community engagement, and a clear desire to pursue careers in science or technology in Puerto Rico.
“It was a deeply enriching and inspiring experience,” recalled licensed professional Yaneisha Pérez Padilla, General Manager of Ironhack Puerto Rico and one of the judges for this first edition. “The students’ essays moved me profoundly, and the interviews with the ten finalists confirmed that leaders capable of generating real impact in their communities are emerging.”
This desire to create a sustainable impact in Puerto Rico is what drives the Azmat A. Assur Foundation to collaborate in the education of Puerto Rican youth through funding, scholarships, and partnerships with local institutions.
The Azmat A. Assur Award is just one part of the collaboration between PRSTRT and the Azmat Assur Foundation as a strategy to strengthen the island’s STEM educational ecosystem. Through this collaboration, the Hexagon 3D printing studio was installed and developed at PRSTRT facilities in Ponce. Hexagon provides access to 3D printing courses and services through low-cost annual memberships for students, educators, and the general public. For information on memberships, visit: Hexagon.
The STEM+AI certification for STEM teachers from the Puerto Rico Department of Education is another initiative resulting from this collaboration. This professional development certification benefits 25 teachers annually over a five-year period. The 2025 STEM+AI cohort is scheduled to begin in September 2025.
To learn more about the award and future calls for applications, visit: https://prsciencetrust.org/premio-azmat-assur
About the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust:
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, as described in Public Law 214-204, as amended, is a private, non-profit organization created in 2004 to promote the Island’s participation and job creation in the global knowledge economy by fostering investment in and funding for science and technology research and development. It invests in, facilitates, and develops capabilities that continuously advance Puerto Rico’s economy and the well-being of its citizens through research- and development-based enterprises, science and technology, public health, and innovation. Its mission is for Puerto Rico to become a globally recognized innovation hub. The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust was also designated one of 31 Tech Hubs in 2023 to lead the PRBio Tech Hub with a multisector consortium on the island. For more information: www.prsciencetrust.org.
About the Azmat A. Assur Charitable Foundation:
The Azmat A. Assur Charitable Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and providing financial assistance to deserving students and institutions. Based in New York, the Foundation is committed to fostering educational excellence and opportunities for young people.