Mr. Mario Quim Can is an experienced education researcher and data analyst from Guatemala, specializing in educational assessment, statistical analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and evidence-based educational development. He began his professional career in 2007 at the Ministry of Education of Guatemala, within the General Directorate of Educational Evaluation, Research and Standards, where he contributed to the development of assessment instruments. From October 2008 to June 2012, he worked in the Monitoring and Evaluation Subdirectorate of Mi Familia Progresa, a government programme implementing conditional cash transfers.

From 2009 to 2022, he also served as a university-level educator at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Campus Sur, accumulating 13 years of teaching experience. Since August 2012, he has continued working in the Ministry of Education’s General Directorate of Educational Evaluation and Research (DIGEDUCA), focusing on database analysis and educational research.

Research Expertise & Methodological Skills

Mr. Quim Can has developed expertise in educational measurement, quantitative and qualitative research, statistical analysis, test construction, and the evaluation of learning outcomes. His work contributes to understanding educational performance, teaching methodologies, gender equity, teacher preparation, and the factors influencing student achievement.

He is proficient in statistical and analytical tools, including SPSS, Winsteps, JMetriK, Stata, and RStudio, alongside Microsoft Office applications. His technical capabilities in constructing educational assessments help support the measurement of competencies, educational standards, and student learning outcomes.

Research Publications & Major Investigations

Mr. Quim Can has contributed to several educational research studies and reports addressing important challenges in Guatemala’s education system. His notable research contributions include:

• Gender Equity: A Challenge in Education — an analysis of the results of the 2016 graduate assessment.

• Exploratory Study of Online Graduating Students, 2021.

• Longitudinal Study of Student Progress from Basic to Diversified Secondary Education, 2015–2016, published in 2024.

• Principal Investigator of the 2023 study comparing paper-and-pencil assessments with computer-based examinations for graduating students, reported in 2024.

• Descriptive Study of the Current Situation of Initial Teacher Education in Guatemala: First Stage, 2024.

• Study of factors associated with academic performance in Mathematics, Communication and Language, and teaching strategies in teacher recruitment assessments conducted from 2022 to 2024, reported in 2025.

• Study characterizing mathematics teaching methodologies used by fourth-year diversified secondary education teachers in public and cooperative schools, 2025.

• Focused intervention study to improve mathematics and reading skills and knowledge among 11th-grade students in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, October 2026, as reported in his CV.

These investigations demonstrate his sustained involvement in educational assessment, research design, data-driven policy support, and the improvement of teaching and learning.

International Training & Professional Development

Mr. Quim Can has participated in regional and international professional development programmes that have strengthened his research and analytical capabilities. His training includes conferences of the Latin American and Caribbean Monitoring and Evaluation Network in Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Panama.

He has also completed specialized training in open-response item evaluation through UNESCO, research proposal development with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, quantitative data analysis in Argentina and Brazil, statistical analysis using SPSS, qualitative analysis using ATLAS.ti, and the analysis of PISA 2022 results for Guatemala at ICFES in Colombia in 2023.

Research Leadership & Educational Impact

A significant aspect of Mr. Quim Can’s professional profile is his contribution to large-scale educational assessment and research initiatives within Guatemala’s Ministry of Education. His experience in database analysis, assessment design, and evaluation studies supports the generation of evidence for understanding student achievement and identifying opportunities for educational improvement.

His role as Principal Investigator in the study comparing traditional and computer-based examinations further demonstrates his ability to lead research on assessment methodologies. His work on gender equity, teacher preparation, mathematics instruction, and focused educational interventions reflects a commitment to addressing educational disparities and improving learning outcomes.

Eligibility for Laureate Research Award 

Mr. Mario Quim Can is a strong candidate for the Laureate Research Award in Scientific Laurels in recognition of his sustained contributions to educational research, assessment methodologies, statistical analysis, and evidence-based educational development.

His professional experience spanning government research and university teaching, participation in regional and international training programmes, and contributions to multiple research studies demonstrate his commitment to advancing educational knowledge. His expertise in quantitative and qualitative analysis, educational test development, and large-scale assessment provides valuable support for improving educational quality and informing evidence-based decision-making in Guatemala.

His research on gender equity, student performance, teacher preparation, and technology-assisted assessment highlights the practical relevance of his work to educational policy and classroom practice.

Overall, Mr. Mario Quim Can merits consideration for the Scientific Laurels Laureate Research Award for his contributions to educational evaluation, applied research, statistical analysis, and the advancement of data-informed educational improvement