Albras recognizes UFPA talents with the Kawaguchi Award

Company honors the university’s top students and reaffirms its commitment to innovation and the development of Pará

Albras, Brazil’s largest producer of primary aluminum, held the 29th edition of the Kawaguchi Award, an event that honored the top recent graduates from the engineering programs at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The Kawaguchi Award will return in 2025, driven by the celebrations of Albras’ 40th anniversary. The ceremony, held on May 23 at UFPA’s Institute of Technology (ITEC), brought together authorities, professors, family members, and the 21 awarded students.

Bruna Santos, who earned second place in the Kawaguchi Award in the Chemical Engineering program, expressed her joy and gratitude for the recognition. “Receiving this award is an immense honor, especially as it serves as an encouragement for more women to persist and overcome challenges in engineering programs,” said Bruna. “In an environment where female dropout rates are still a reality, this recognition shows that it is possible to achieve success and inspire others to follow their dreams.”

The Kawaguchi Award, which since 1983 has honored a key figure in Albras’ history — businessman Izao Kawaguchi, known for his willpower and dedication in overcoming challenges — aims to promote academic excellence and recognize the potential of future leaders in engineering and technology in Pará.

“The partnership between Albras and UFPA is vital to driving innovation, technological development, and the training of qualified professionals, applying academic knowledge to practical solutions for industry. This strategic collaboration, crowned by the Kawaguchi Award, strengthens the innovation ecosystem in Pará, benefiting both institutions and promoting the region’s economic and social development,” said Professor Hito Braga de Moraes, General Director of ITEC.

During the event, the 21 students who excelled in their respective programs — Civil Engineering, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, Food Engineering, Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, and Railway and Logistics Engineering — received medals and certificates in recognition of their academic performance. They are also invited to visit Albras and its production process and may join the company as trainees through a selective recruitment process exclusively for this group.

“The Kawaguchi Award, by recognizing the academic merit of UFPA’s engineering students, encourages the continuous pursuit of excellence, fostering engagement in research, innovation, and social responsibility. Rewarding and investing in education is essential to promoting innovation and sustainable development in the Amazon, empowering citizens to face local challenges and generate relevant knowledge for the region,” added Professor Hito Braga.

“Albras has a longstanding commitment to the development of the state of Pará, and the Kawaguchi Award is a demonstration of that commitment,” said Luiz Roberto Silva Junior, CEO of Albras. “We believe that investing in education and recognizing young talent is fundamental to building a more prosperous and innovative future for our region.”

The Kawaguchi Award is part of Albras’ 40th anniversary celebrations, which will be held in 2025. Over four decades, the company has established itself as an environment of excellence, where several generations of professionals have developed their talents and ensured their professional growth. The event reflects Albras’ commitment to supporting education and research in the state of Pará, marking the revival of the historic Kawaguchi Award, with 28 previous editions. The award serves as a showcase for future professionals who can contribute to the growth of Albras and the industrial sector.

About Albras

Albras is the largest producer of primary aluminum in Brazil and, since 1985, has supplied both domestic and international markets. The company’s business strategy focuses on sustainable practices for producing low-carbon aluminum, making it an industry benchmark in sustainability. Hydro is the company’s main shareholder, holding 51% of the shares in this joint venture. The other shareholder is NAAC, Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co., Ltd., a Japanese consortium composed of a Japanese government agency, trading companies, consumers, and aluminum product manufacturers.

Press contact:
hydro@ideal-axicom.com