Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at the El Rancho Hotel, Haiti, Eric Volibi, the Resident Representative of UNESCO and Joseph Almathe Pierre-Louis, the Minister of Public Works, presented the Prizes for the first edition of the GenTech 2026 competition launched on November 10, 2025 around the theme "Building the future : technology at the service of safe constructions", which celebrated the ingenuity of young engineers and architects from several departments of Haiti.

This first edition was organized by the UNESCO Office in Haiti, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works. The competition brought together 20 universities from 5 departments : North, West, South, Artibonite and Grand'Anse, with four establishments per department. The objective of this cutting-edge competition was to stimulate creativity, strengthen technical skills and demonstrate the usefulness of new technologies, such as 3D printing in the service of sustainable development.

Addressing the winners directly, the Minister invited them to be agents of change within their respective communities : "The distinctions presented to you today reward your commitment and your efforts, but also constitute an invitation to continue your quest for excellence. Our country needs competent, innovative professionals who are deeply committed to the quality and safety of construction."

Congratulations to all the participating teams, and more particularly to the 3 winners : Université Lumière des Cayes, Grand'Anse Public University and GOC University, whose commitment and excellence inspire the future.

IH/ iciHaiti