“The future of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is better, brighter and more human with you” – said Ana Teresa Freitas, a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico and head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DEI). She addressed more than 70 female students, researchers, professors, and other women and girls involved in science in a packed Great Hall. The event organized by DEI, which began shortly after 9 a.m., aimed to celebrate the contributions of these professionals and academics in the scientific environment, particularly in ICT, and encouraged attendees to share their views and experiences.
“I’m 56 years old and this is the first time I’ve been to an event where I’m the only man, but for you women in ICT, you’ve probably been in the opposite position several times”, said Rogério Colaço, the president of Técnico, during his opening remarks. “The atmosphere is comfortable, but I do feel slightly embarrassed”, he confessed. “We know that feeling”, said Ana Teresa Freitas, causing laughter from both him and the audience. “Without the representation of women in science, the world is less fair”, concluded Rogério Colaço.
The panelists included Amélia Santos, CEO at Innuos, a leading consumer electronics brand in Digital HiFi Audio; Beatriz Mano, a software engineer in the health sector and Ana Rita Baião, a PhD student at Técnico. Together, they shared their experiences and insights. Beatriz Mano encouraged attendees to pursue their ambitions when selecting areas of interest, regardless of how “trendy” they may be. “If there are fields you enjoy that not many people are working in, why don’t you?”
Ana Rita Baião shared that “one of the things that scared me after finishing my master’s degree was the pressure to make ‘the perfect decision’, thinking that it would determine my entire career”. She now realises that it’s simply a decision about “the next step”. Amélia Santos reinforced this sentiment by describing the various roles, internships, and positions she has held throughout her career. ‘You can do it, believe in yourself, be confident, have a strong voice – your attitude will dictate the course of your career much more than your technical skills.’
Raquel Rodrigues, a third-year undergraduate student in Computer Science and Engineering, took the opportunity to talk to her classmates and professors at her table. “At school, I always felt ‘pulled’ towards computer science – I was interested in maths and science”, she says. After a positive experience with programming in secondary school, she chose to enrol at Técnico “because it’s the best engineering school in Portugal”. Raquel believes that “seeing examples of successful careers is inspiring and motivates us to continue our work with dedication; it’s always beneficial to hear the stories of those around us.”
