In this "Testimonials" we interview Diogo Gaspar, awarded with a Prémio de Mérito Celfocus em Engenharia de Software.

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

My name is Diogo Gaspar. I joined IST in 2020 for the LEIC program and completed the degree in June of last year. During my undergraduate studies, I had a scholarship in the DSI team, where I had the opportunity to engage with the research and development teams of Fénix, among other technologies associated with the functioning of the faculty.

During my undergraduate studies, I considered the possibility of proceeding with my education abroad. Currently, I am pursuing a Master in Computer Science at KTH in Sweden, specializing in the Data Science area. I am working as a Research Assistant in one of the laboratories within the Division of Theoretical Computer Science at the university.

What did winning this award personally mean to you?

It represented the culmination of the work done by all members of the group throughout the period: of course, recognition from the faculty and the rest of the jury is always good, and from a financial perspective, it is also highly valued by us. However, the most important achievement  from the project as a group was learning concepts and techniques that will undoubtedly be useful to us throughout our academic and professional journey.

Why are awards like this important?

Awards like this are an incentive for students to excel – even indirectly, students end up learning more and become more familiar with the contents of the respective academic unit. Additionally, they create an important link between industry and students.

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

In my opinion , the role of IST (and DEI) in schools is the most important aspect in this regard: introducing the program and the faculty in areas of the country where the current educational guidance unit (NAPE) does not reach would allow many students to better understand potential career paths and how they align with their interests. Additionally, it is inevitable to mention the cost factor in entering EIC (and IST in general): although it may not be necessarily an inherent responsibility of the program, creating (more) initiatives sponsored by companies or others that alleviate some financial concerns for displaced students would be one of the crucial ways to attract talented students who, otherwise, are unable to attend the program.

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

Although what you will learn is the core of the course, don't forget about another equally important aspect: the friendships you make along the way are the best part of the journey! Moreover, don't be afraid to fail, to talk to professors and researchers about opportunities that interest you, to ask questions in the class, among a myriad of things that may seem intimidating – it's only by putting ourselves in challenging situations that we evolve.