TUMO Opens First Center in Uruguay, Expands Into Latin America

The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies has expanded its global presence with the opening of its first learning center in Uruguay — a new step in the spread of its innovative education model beyond Armenia and into Latin America.

The new center was officially inaugurated in the presence of Uruguay’s President, Yamandú Orsi, along with national and regional authorities. The facility is located at the entrance of Carrasco International Airport, placing it in a highly visible and accessible area.

The project was brought to Uruguay through a collaboration between Aeropuertos Uruguay and Corporación América Airports, with a strategic partnership with Ceibal. Together, they aim to offer a free extracurricular learning program in creative technologies for young people across the country.

The new center operates in a purpose-built facility spanning more than 2,500 square meters. The construction required an investment of 10 million U.S. dollars by Corporación América Airports. The building includes the TUMO learning space, a multipurpose hall, and office areas, all designed to support creativity, collaboration, and modern education

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The architectural design focuses on openness and interaction. A large central staircase serves as a gathering point for students, while different areas are dedicated to specific types of learning. These include a self-learning room, robotics labs, workshop spaces, and a full music studio equipped with a control room, rehearsal area, and recording facilities.

The center is equipped with advanced technology, including 250 modern computers, musical instruments such as guitars, drums, piano, and bass, as well as professional production equipment, digital equalizers, and sound booths. These tools are intended to support hands-on learning and creative exploration.

The program is designed for teenagers aged 12 to 18 and follows TUMO’s established model based on self-learning, workshops, and project-based activities. Students create their own learning paths while being guided by tutors and industry experts. The available disciplines in Uruguay include robotics, animation, 3D modeling, music, film, generative artificial intelligence, video game development, and programming.

TUMO’s Executive Director in Uruguay, Carolina Gutiérrez, pointed to the purpose of the center and its role in helping young people explore their interests and develop their abilities.

The CEO of Corporación América Airports, Martín Eurnekian, emphasized the importance of education in driving transformation and inclusion, noting the company’s commitment to supporting initiatives that help young people develop their potential.

Fiorella Haim, speaking on behalf of Ceibal, pointed to the country’s ongoing efforts to expand access to technology and build skills for the future. She stressed that the arrival of TUMO strengthens these efforts by providing new opportunities for teenagers to develop creative and technological abilities.

The Mayor of Canelones, Francisco Legnani, noted that the region has long promoted innovation as a key part of its development strategy and sees TUMO as aligned with that vision.

Chris Shahinian also took part in the opening ceremony, underlining the educational philosophy behind the program. He explained that TUMO focuses not only on teaching skills but also on helping students learn how to learn, encouraging experimentation, creativity, and independent thinking.

The center is expected to begin welcoming students in April, starting with up to 1,000 participants per week. Enrollment will be introduced gradually to maintain high-quality learning and personalized support. Due to strong demand, with more than 4,500 applications already submitted, the program plans to expand its capacity to 1,500 students per week by 2026.

During the inauguration, Tamar Colodenco announced that Google will collaborate with TUMO Uruguay over the next two years. The partnership aims to provide high-level training in areas such as artificial intelligence and ensure broader access to digital education.

Originally founded in Armenia, the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies has grown into an international network present in more than ten countries, including cities such as Paris, Berlin, Lisbon, Los Angeles, and Buenos Aires. With more than 35,000 active students and over 80,000 graduates worldwide, the program continues to expand as one of the most recognized models of innovative education globally.

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