Sixth Edition of Gladys Award Launched to Recognize Young Basque Digital Talent
The initiative by PuntuEUS and EHU, sponsored by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, aims to strengthen the network of women technologists.
By Erredakzioa Euskadi Egunkaria
••3 min read
IA
Generic image of an award in a hand, in a modern office setting.
The PuntuEUS Foundation and the EHU Faculty of Computer Science, with the sponsorship of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, have launched the sixth edition of the Gladys Award, aimed at recognizing the talent of young Basque women working in the digital environment.
This award, named after the computer scientist Gladys del Estal (1956-1979), not only honors her memory but also highlights women who address the challenges of today's digital society. After recognizing professionals such as Ane Iturzaeta, Olatz Perez de Viñaspre, Amaia Abanda, Lorea Argarate, and Usue Mori in previous editions, this new call aims to continue fostering a strong network of women technologists in the Basque Country.
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"We are very proud of the results. We receive more and more applications, and the impact is greater; beyond the contribution it makes to the awardees, the positive impact on society is fundamental to achieving our goals."
The Gladys Award was established in 2021 with the purpose of creating new role models in the Basque digital environment. Over its five-year trajectory, it has generated increasing interest, as demonstrated by the constant rise in the number of applications submitted each year. From its inception, the main objective of the award has been to encourage young women to pursue a technological career.
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"To face the technological challenges of the near future, it will be essential for teams to be diverse, and for that to be possible, it is necessary that the students approaching computer science and technology studies are also diverse."
The initiative, promoted by PuntuEUS and EHU, receives primary sponsorship from the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and support from Emakunde, Danobatgroup, Euskaltel Foundation, EiTB, and the UPV/EHU Equality Directorate. All participating agents at the presentation agree on the diagnosis: promoting the presence of women is not only a matter of justice but an indispensable condition for the future.
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"This initiative places women's innovation work at the forefront and helps build a new collective imagination, awakening new vocations among younger generations."
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"The gender gap is not just a matter of presence; we must end the androcentric view of science. We need a structural change for equality to be integrated systemically."
This social change also has a direct reflection in the economic sphere. Iker Usabiaga, from Danobatgroup, has warned about the viability of the sector: "We cannot transform the industry if there are not enough women. Fostering talent is not just a matter of equality; it is a strategic necessity for the future of the industry." To address this strategic need, Nerea Enbeita, director of the Euskaltel Foundation, considers it fundamental to influence the attitude and empowerment of professionals, focusing on leadership: "Training is indispensable, but not sufficient. It is essential to educate in leadership and self-esteem so that women believe they are capable of leading."
In the current edition, women up to 40 years old who work in any area of the digital environment can participate. There will be a single award, and the jury will consider the following criteria: the candidate's future projection, her professional trajectory, and her ability to inspire and empower other women in the sector. Registration is now open, and applications can be submitted through the website www.gladyssaria.eus until June 1. The winner will receive a prize of 4,000 euros.
