César Bueno, a final-year economics student at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), was awarded first place in the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCRP) Advanced Economics Summer Course, according to an April 10 announcement. Bueno achieved this recognition after completing an intensive program that brought together top students from across Peru for a demanding academic experience during the summer of 2026.
The course is known for its high academic standards and focus on macroeconomics, econometrics, and monetary policy. Bueno’s accomplishment highlights both his individual discipline and the strength of his university education. He secured first place among more than thirty participants from various universities, demonstrating strong preparation and adaptability in a competitive environment.
Bueno entered the course by direct invitation after ranking first in PUCP’s economics program. He chose to postpone participation initially to better prepare himself. “Decliné la invitación porque no me sentía preparado. Preferí esperar, reforzar mi formación y postular cuando tuviera más herramientas para aprovechar mejor el curso,” he said. The course required daily sessions of eight to nine hours with advanced coursework designed to emulate international graduate programs.
Looking ahead, Bueno said he is interested in joining BCRP: “Trabajar en el BCRP es una oportunidad para contribuir directamente a la estabilidad económica del país. Es un aspecto fundamental para el crecimiento y el bienestar.” He also expressed interest in research topics related to inclusive development and inequality: “La experiencia fue clave porque integraba todo lo aprendido. Te obligaba a pensar como economista en un contexto real, con presión y tomando decisiones”.
Bueno credited much of his performance to PUCP’s comprehensive curriculum and faculty support: “La Universidad me dio una base sólida y una forma de pensar. Los cursos y los docentes fueron fundamentales para poder afrontar el nivel del BCRP, y sostener el ritmo del programa”. Professors such as Jorge Pozo, Paul Castillo, Pavel Coronado and Fernando Pérez were cited as influential mentors during his studies.
PUCP has had several alumni participate in BCRP’s summer courses since their inception in 1961—including Dr. Waldo Mendoza (former director of BCRP), Dr. María del Socorro Heysen (former submanager at BCRP), Dr. José Gallardo Ku (former Minister of Transport and Communications), and Dr. Gabriel Rodríguez (current head of PUCP’s Department of Economics).
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