In this edition of Shine Bytes we interview Beatriz Militão, winner of the 4th edition of the Prémio de Mérito Deloitte em Ciência de Dados.

Tell us a little about yourself and your journey at IST

Hello! I'm Beatriz Militão, I'm 22 years old and I'm from Santarém. I'm in the 2nd year of the Master's in Computer Science and Engineering, specializing in Distributed Systems and Cybersecurity. I chose these areas because I enjoy understanding how systems work and solving complex and relevant problems.

Outside of my studies, I'm part of Técnico’s women's futsal team. We've been national champions three times and placed 3rd in Europe, which was an incredible experience!

What did winning this competition mean to you personally?

Winning this award was truly special and makes me feel that all the effort was worth it. Knowing that all the work, group projects, and late-night study sessions paid off gives me the motivation to keep doing my best.

Why are awards like this important?

I believe these awards are incredibly important for motivating students to push themselves and strive for excellence. They also make a big difference for students living away from home, like me, by helping to ease the financial burden a little, which is always welcome.

In your opinion (aside from awards ;) ), what can and should be done to attract more women to science?

It’s essential to show girls from an early age that technology and science are for them too. There’s still a significant gender gap in the field, and that discourages some women from pursuing it. We need more representation, more real-life examples of women in this area, and inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome.

Do you have any advice for future female students in Computer Science and Engineering at Técnico?

My advice is: don’t be afraid to take risks! Even if you start without knowing how to program or have doubts, trust in your potential. You’ll learn everything over time, and with effort, you’ll be able to keep up. It’s true that there are fewer women in the course, but that also gives us the strength to make a difference and pave the way for those who come after us.