In this "Testimonials" we interview Bernardo Prata, awarded with a Bolsa de Estudo Bondalti e Fundação Amélia de Mello (2023).

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

My name is Bernardo Prata, and I have a degree in Computer Science and Engineering since 2023. My journey at Técnico began in 2020, a year strongly marked by the pandemic, during which I rarely visited the Alameda campus. Despite this atypical start, the experience went smoothly and these three years have  enriched me both academically and personally. During this period I also had the opportunity to take part in various projects, most notably collaborating with Junitec on the SILAB project and winning second place in the Energy category at Tecstorm, the largest national university hackathon.

What did winning this award personally mean to you?

Winning this award had a significant impact on me. I would highlight two key aspects: firstly, it represented the recognition of several years of dedication and effort, boosting my confidence for the rest of my degree; secondly, it provided essential financial support for my life as a displaced student, also easing my parents financially. Looking back, I realize that this scholarship marked the beginning of an exceptional year both academically and personally.

Why are awards like this important?

These scholarships are crucial because they value individual students, rather than reducing us to mere numbers, reinforcing meritocracy. They act as an incentive to achieve better results and, especially, to pursue goals with focus and peace of mind, free  from external worries.

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

I believe that, given the growing demand for this area, Técnico, as the best engineering university in Portugal, will have no difficulty in attracting more students to this degree. However, it is essential to increase investment in order to keep the teaching at the same level with the best European universities. Increased demand for the degree should not lead to complacency in investment. The key to attracting enthusiastic students is to offer the best conditions, and in this respect I think the university is on the right track.

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

I advise students to absorb the knowledge shared during lessons, but also to explore beyond the limits of Técnico. In my case, combining the materials provided by the teachers with other resources available online was key to achieving the results I wanted. 

In addition, another very important issue is that, as challenging as it may seem, to the extent that you may not feel ready, apply for projects beyond those required academically.

There's no way to grow professionally without taking risks.