14 January 2015
Bilbao Campus
The Engineering Faculty of the University of Deusto organised the Forotech 2014-2015 round table entitled “What women contribute to technology” to mark the second Ada Byron Award for Women in Computing. The event, held on 14 January, was led by the journalist Pilar Kaltzada; with the participation of Sonia Mulero, Deputy Director of the Banco Sabadell Foundation; Andrea Blanco, runner-up in the 2014 Ada Byron Award; Isabel Urbano, Marketing and Social Innovation; Inés Núñez, Corporate Manager of Ingeteam Legal Services and Xavier Verdaguer, Founder of Imagine Creativity Center.
The Engineering Faculty implemented the Ada Byron Award last year to publicly acknowledge women in the technology industry and enhance their visibility. Montserrat Meya, PhD in Linguistics, was the winner of the first award. Her 40 year career has focused on computer language and artificial intelligence, prompting her to lead numerous projects related to application of technologies in everyday life.This year’s nominees include Izaskun Landaida, Director of Emakunde, Xabier Legarreta, Director General of Equality at the Biscay Provincial Council Department of Social Action, and Oihane Agirregoitia, Delegate Councillor of the Bilbao City Hall Department of Equality, Cooperation and Citizenship.
This award is dedicated to Ada Byron (Ada Lovelace), born 100 years ago. She was one of the most outstanding women in the history of engineering and recognised as the first computer programmer. This distinction looks to promote equality between men and women, bringing technology careers closer to women and bolstering their participation in this field. The award focuses on recognising women holding degrees and pursuing careers in technology, engineering and other scientific fields closely related to technology. It also acknowledges women who have managed to overcome the difficulties of working in a male-dominated industry.IK4, the Basque Institute for Women-Emakunde, the Biscay Regional Council, the Bilbao City Hall and Innobasque, with the sponsorship of the Banco Sabadell Foundation, are taking part in this event whose deadline for nominations is 12 February at 5 pm. 3,000 euros in prize money will be awarded on 4 March during the ForoTech 2015 meetings, which will be held at the University of Deusto Engineering Faculty.
The jury will include figures from the world of academics, business and institutions. Some jury members are: Inés Jacob, Dean of Engineering at the University of Deusto; Alberto García Erauzkin, President of Innobasque; Begoña Goiricelaya, Director General of GAIKER-IK4; Carmen Vela, Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation; Cristina Garmendia, former Spanish Minister of Innovation, President of Genetrix; Estíbaliz Hernáez Laviña, Deputy Councillor of Technology, Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Development; Guillermo Dorronsoro, Dean of Deusto Business School; Izaskun Artetxe, of the Biscay Regional Council; María Garaña. President of Microsoft Spain; Miquel Molins Nubiola, President of the Sabadell Foundation and Oihane Agirregoitia, Delegate Councillor of the Bilbao City Hall Department of Equality, Cooperation and Citizenship.Further information: http://premioadabyron.deusto.es/
