Celebrating Women in Computer Science and Engineering: A Call for Our Future

In the early 1980s, when computing began to emerge as a transformative field, many of the pioneers who brought programming to life were women. At that time, the presence of women in the field was notable, and for several years, women represented around 40% of the students in this innovative field in Portugal. This period was a landmark of inspiration and potential, where women played a fundamental role in the development of technology, challenging barriers and shaping the digital future.

Today, as the first female President of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, a Department with more than 25 years, it is both an honor and a responsibility to address a topic that is very dear to me—gender diversity in the field of Computer Science and Engineering.

This is a topic where we must look back to the past in order to ensure the best future for all.

Today, as we celebrate International Women's Day, I want to highlight some incredible contributions by women in this field of engineering and encourage new women to pursue this exciting and transformative area.

Although only 16% of our students are women today, we know that women have the power, creativity, and intelligence to lead and revolutionize the technology industry. Women like Ada Lovelace, who laid the foundations of programming in the 19th century, and pioneers like Grace Hopper, who created the first compiler in the 1950s, have shown us that women have always been at the forefront of innovation.

Computer Science and Engineering is the backbone of today’s digital world. Today, Computer Science and Engineering is no longer just about programming and compilers. It encompasses health, society, law, communication, marketing, gaming, security, artificial intelligence, war, and peace.

It is within this space of global impact that the vision and competence of women are essential in building the future of technology. We need female engineers who bring ideas, approaches to problem-solving, and diverse experiences. Gender equality in this field has nothing to do with fairness; it is about unlocking the full potential of the entire community to solve the greatest challenges facing the world and humanity today.

On this International Women's Day, I encourage all students, but also all women of all ages, to embrace their curiosity, challenge their limits, and move forward with courage into the world of Computer Science and Engineering. You women belong in this field, and your contributions will shape our shared future.

As the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where women are empowered to lead, innovate, and thrive. Happy International Women's Day to all the inspiring women who know the future because they are building it!

Ana Teresa Freitas, President of Computer Science and Engineering Department at Instituto Superior Técnico