Bruno Vaccotti, Director of Public Affairs at Penguin Infrastructure Paraguay, today discussed the company’s ambitious plans to establish Paraguay as a leading technology hub in South America during an interview with Monte Carlo FM.
Central to this initiative is the Penguin Academy, which has launched an intensive eight-month bootcamp aimed at equipping young Paraguayans with comprehensive skills in programming and technology.
Founded in Switzerland in 2012 by Bjorn Schmidtke, Penguin Group initiated its educational endeavors with three bootcamps at the University of St. Gallen. The vision expanded globally in 2017 when Schmidtke, after teaching at a refugee home in the Philippines, was approached by a Paraguayan in the audience who suggested introducing programming education to Paraguay – a country known for both agriculture and a burgeoning interest in technology.
Since its establishment in Paraguay in 2019, Penguin Academy, under Penguin Group Paraguay, has conducted four free bootcamps and over 30 workshops covering Machine Learning, Internet of Things, web design, UI/UX design, Python, and Javascript.
Over 2,000 Paraguayans have benefitted from these programs, transforming novices into skilled professionals ready to contribute to the technology sector. The academy’s curriculum evolves continuously based on participant feedback, embodying their motto, “Coding is a School of Thought.”
The educational initiative aims to create opportunities in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector for young Paraguayans, addressing the sector’s growing demand. The ICT industry is currently experiencing a talent shortage projected to intensify by 2035. According to the McKinsey 2023 Technology Outlook, industries such as automotive, chemicals, financial services, and life sciences stand to gain up to $1.3 trillion from quantum computing advancements by 2035. Similarly, Generative AI could contribute up to $4.4 trillion in economic value through enhanced productivity and innovative applications.
Reflecting on the success of the 2019 Penguin Academy graduates, 57% of whom initiated startups or pursued entrepreneurial ventures, the program has effectively enabled career transitions into technology-related roles. Many graduates secured internships or jobs globally, demonstrating the program’s impact in fostering a competitive workforce. One graduate expressed gratitude, stating, “Thanks to Penguin, I secured a data analyst position at Ernst & Young.”
Penguin Academy is also expanding its robotics and programming program into high school talents in Asunción through its four day ‘Jacodea’ initiative. Its first initiative started at Técnico San Francisco de Asunción which objective to provide high school students in Paraguay with an unprecedented opportunity to learn and interact with robots and programming concepts using Python during an intense four-day period.
In May 2024, Penguin Group, in collaboration with Northern Data Group, secured a $30 million investment to establish a regional Data Center in Hernanderias, underscoring their commitment to advancing Paraguay’s technological infrastructure.
Very much needed