At a ceremony held on Thursday, December 18, Universidad ORT Uruguay recognized the hard work and dedication of four finalists, following a selection process that took into account a written exam, academic performance, socioeconomic background, and personal motivation.
Passionate about urban planning, Yazmín, from Colonia del Sacramento, seeks to take architecture beyond the design of buildings, offering her perspective on the impact of spaces on people's lives.
Upon receiving the award, Yazmín addressed an audience that included the jury, representatives from Universidad ORT Uruguay, and the finalists’ family and friends:
"I want to thank the university, all the judges, and the team that made this whole process possible. And I want to thank my family, who were a vital source of support; without them, I wouldn't be here today."
In addition to the 100% scholarship awarded to Yazmín, the other three finalists were also awarded an 80% scholarship to pursue a college degree at ORT:
- María Elena Mieres, from Rivera.
- Sebastián Geribone, from Montevideo.
- Bautista Cobas, from San José.
The Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship was open to high school juniors from across the country who were under 20 years of age, had excellent academic performance, and planned to begin their studies in March 2026.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbc95ux8dz4
Assessment criteria
The selection process took place in several stages. First, applicants took a written test based on reading the book The Girl Who Watched the Trains DepartRuperto Long, focusing on questions about the work and understanding the life story of Charlotte de Grünberg.
As they read the book, each of the finalists spoke of how they identified with the character of Charlotte’s father, whose experiences they linked to their own family members, who helped make them winners.
Based on the highest scores from that assessment, which took place on November 28, a group of finalists was selected to submit additional documentation.
In the final stage, the jury collectively evaluated each applicant’s consistent performance in high school, their expressed interest in attending Universidad ORT Uruguay the impact that the financial aid awarded could have on their ability to continue their university education.
The letter of motivation, along with the applicant's academic background and family information, helped identify candidates with high potential and a strong commitment to their studies.
On that basis, Yazmín Vidal was selected as the recipient of the Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship, while María Elena Mieres, Sebastián Geribone, and Bautista Cobas were recognized for their performance throughout the entire process.
Interested in computer science and programming languages, Bautista Cobas will pursue a degree in Systems Engineering.
A jury of leading figures
The panel consisted of leading figures from the education sector and the field of technological innovation:
- Dr. María Julia Muñoz, former Minister of Education and Culture and former Minister of Public Health;
- Dr. Denise Vaillant, Dean of the Institute of Education at Universidad ORT Uruguay;
- Prof. Gabriel Quirici, National Director of Education at the Ministry of Education and Culture;
- Miguel Brechner, Engineer, founder of Plan Ceibal;
- Ruperto Long, author of The Girl Who Watched the Trains Depart.
The jury members highlighted the efforts of the more than 100 students who took part in the in-person exam in November, as well as the quality of their answers, their engagement with the text, and the clarity of the academic and professional goals expressed by the finalists.
Fascinated by different cultures and languages, María Elena plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in International Studies.
Charlotte's Legacy
The Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship is designed to support the recipient’s academic journey at Universidad ORT Uruguay, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scholarship.
Students are expected to remain enrolled, take at least three courses per semester, maintain a minimum GPA, and graduate within the standard duration of their chosen program—requirements designed to support sustained and committed academic progress.
With an interest in computer science and programming, Sebastián Geribone will begin studying for a degree in Systems Engineering.
The award was established in honor of Prof. Charlotte de Grünberg, who served as president of Universidad ORT Uruguay 1977 to 2024 and dedicated her professional life to expanding access to higher education for young people across the country.
It is named after him because it seeks to reflect the values he promoted: academic excellence, a dedication to learning, and the opportunity for more people to build a future through a college education.
