II CALL OF THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF MADRID FOR DOCTORAL THESIS PRIZES FOR SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

First award

Our colleague Laura del Río Carazo, PhD in Economics and Innovation Management (DEGIN) from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), has been awarded the Prize for the Best Doctoral Thesis in the field of International Cooperation for Sustainable Human Development of the UPM, for her doctoral thesis entitled ‘Development of a management model for rural electrification projects in developing countries’. This thesis has been co-directed by professors Santiago Iglesias Pradas and Emiliano Acquila Natale, from the UPM.

Rural electrification is a global challenge aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. In rural areas, this goal faces challenges due to geographical isolation and economic constraints. While technology has played a key role in providing innovative solutions, its success depends on proper management tailored to local needs. This research argues that without clear management frameworks, projects will not be sustainable in the long term, and a management model configurator for rural electrification projects in developing countries has been designed.