The municipal official emphasized the importance of encouraging students to apply their acquired knowledge in creating projects with a positive impact on society, expressing satisfaction that the initiative originated in a school within the municipality of Ponta Delgada. The “EncontraPet” application was developed by the BugBusters A4G team, consisting of Matilde Fortuna, Aline Medeiros, Teresa Hilário, Leonor Medeiros, and Leonor Vasconcelos, as part of the Programming and Robotics Club at the Escola Básica Integrada de Capelas and the “Apps for Good” Açores program.
“It is a source of satisfaction to see young people from our municipality transforming ideas into concrete solutions, putting their talent, creativity, and technology at the service of the community. Projects like ‘EncontraPet’ demonstrate our students' capacity to develop relevant and innovative initiatives, with the potential to assert themselves in an increasingly competitive world,” stated Cristina do Canto Tavares.
The councillor highlighted that education is one of the main priorities of the municipal government, with continuous investment in support measures for students and in creating favorable conditions for educational success. “Investing in education is investing in the future of Ponta Delgada. We want to continue creating opportunities for our students to develop their abilities, realize their potential, and acquire the necessary skills to face future challenges,” she declared.
The Municipal Chamber reiterates its commitment to valuing education and academic merit, recognizing the students' dedication, the teachers' work, and the schools' role in educating new generations. “Valuing education also means recognizing the merit, dedication, and initiative of our young people. By providing conditions to learn, experiment, and innovate, we contribute to forming more prepared citizens, capable of making a difference in the community and taking Ponta Delgada's talent further,” she added.
The “EncontraPet” application, already available on Google Play, was designed to help Azorean families find their lost pets. It includes features such as alerts by parish, direct and secure communication between users, and a network of local partners. The project promotes mutual aid and contributes to animal protection and welfare, demonstrating how programming and robotics can lead to practical solutions for everyday problems.
