{
  "id": 10652776,
  "title": "Colombian Businessman to Award Scholarship to Student With the Highest Score on State Exam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/colombian-businessman-to-award-scholarship-to-student-with-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T08:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/09/29/colombian-businessman-to-award-scholarship-to-student-with-the-highest-score-on-state-exam/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Colombian student Matias Luengas Vergel scored a perfect 500/500 on the Saber 11 Tests, administered by the Colombian Institute for the Evaluation of Education. The exam, taken by over 500,000 students across the country, assesses critical reading, mathematics, social studies, citizenship, natural sciences, and English.\n\nPresident Abelardo de la Espriella, informed of Matias' achievement, announced a scholarship to cover the cost of his five-year university degree at his preferred Colombian institution. The identity of the anonymous businessman who funded the scholarship remained a mystery until it was revealed to be Christian Daes, CEO of Tecnoglass and founder of the Tecnoglass Foundation.\n\nTecnoglass, a global leader in architectural glass and aluminum and vinyl products, established the foundation in 2005 to support social development projects aimed at contributing to community well-being. The foundation will likely award Matias the scholarship through its programs.\n\nMatias expressed his gratitude to both President de la Espriella and the anonymous businessman, stating that he aspires to use the scholarship to pursue a career in mathematical engineering. He hopes to apply his knowledge to research, technology, innovation, and development, ultimately contributing to Colombia's growth.",
  "summary": "In Colombia, the standardized State exam administered by the Colombian Institute for the Evaluation of Education (ICFES) to measure the academic skills of students who are about to complete the eleventh grade of high school is called the Saber 11 Tests. Students who take it must reach a score of 500, but not many achieve […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Matias Luengas Vergel scored perfect 500/500 on Saber 11 Tests.",
    "Colombian businessman Christian Daes funds scholarship for Matias.",
    "Tecnoglass Foundation will award scholarship through social development programs."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}