We are starting a new series this week: "Testimonials: What Our Outstanding Students Say". In this series, we interview students from DEI who have excelled in their academic activities. We want to know more about them, their journey, what motivates them, and how they experience life at Técnico. We also hope that these testimonials serve as inspiration for current students and future candidates for Computer Science and Engineering at Técnico.

In this first "Testemunhos", we interviewed Diogo Pinto, awarded with an Bolsa de Estudo Xpand IT Educação.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey at IST.

My name is Diogo Pinto, I'm 20 years old, and I'm originally from Cascais. I am a very outgoing person with a strong interest in the world of technology. I'm a big fan of games, pets, and various sports, especially tennis. I developed a passion for programming during the quarantine, something I started studying independently. At the moment, I am in the 3rd year of the Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering at TagusPark.

What did winning this award personally mean to you?

Winning this award, for me, means a renewal of energy and a new vote of confidence in my work.

Why are awards like this important?

They help members of the school community to invest more in their studies and build a solid foundation for a bright professional future. Moreover, when it comes to volunteering, as I mentioned during the ceremony, it allows us to give back to the society.

In your opinion (aside from awards ;) ), what can and should be done to attract more students to Computer Engineering at Técnico?

I think the field of engineering itself has been growing in recent years and is a major focus for people applying to university. Demystifying the misconception that engineering is daunting can help bring even more people into this field. While it's true that these degrees require a lot of work, they also have a fun and creative side to them.

How was your volunteering experience associated with this scholarship? What do you think of this initiative (volunteering + scholarship)?

As I mentioned on the day I received the scholarship, I believe that combining volunteering with the scholarship allows us to give a bit of ourselves back to society. It's an important opportunity to help those who have helped us and play our part. I will be doing my volunteer work in the FAS (Ferramenta de Acompanhamento Semanal) project at the NDA (Núcleo de Desenvolvimento Académico). We are still in the early stages of what the tool's journey will be, but I hope to contribute significantly!

Do you have any advice for future students of Computer Engineering at Técnico?

Invest your energy study, and seek help when needed. Joining forces with other students in the degree and trying to understand things together works well and better. Several heads think better than one...

After the Master's, have you already planned your future?

I plan to do my master's at IST but I have no wish to pursue a Ph.D. I aim to enter the job market and start investing in a professional career.