IN SEARCH OF NEW ROLE MODELS: THE FIFTH EDITION OF THE GLADYS AWARD BEGINS

The fifth edition of the Gladys Award was presented today in Donostia, with the greatest support received to date. The initiative, promoted by the PUNTUEUS Foundation and the Faculty of Computer Science at UPV/EHU, is mainly sponsored by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, and supported by Emakunde, Danobatgroup, the Euskaltel Foundation, EITB, and the Equality Office of UPV/EHU.

The Gladys Award was created in 2021 to encourage young women to pursue careers in technology and to establish new role models within the Basque digital environment. Over four years, it has generated increasing interest, as evidenced by the growing number of nominations submitted annually.

Each edition honors one woman, and according to Olatz Arbelaitz, a member of the Equality Committee at the UPV/EHU Faculty of Computer Science, “the Gladys Award has honored four women so far with very diverse profiles, showing that we need a wide range of role models. We want young girls to understand that there are many opportunities in the sector.”

Named after computer scientist Gladys del Estal, the award seeks to recognize young Basque-speaking women working in the digital sphere, to create new role models for youth, and to bring visibility to their work. It also aims to commemorate the contributions of this woman who studied at the Faculty of Computer Science in Donostia.

A COLLECTIVE EFFORT

This year marks the strongest network of support to date around the award, bringing together diverse organizations with significant influence in Basque society for a common cause. According to Lorea Arakistain, Director of Marketing and Communication at Puntueus, “Gladys is becoming an increasingly important intersection between technology and equality. I’d like to highlight the community’s commitment to women and to the future of technology.”

For its part, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa has emphasized the challenge of leading a new technological era. As Nerea Isasi, Director of Equality, explained, “Gipuzkoa will soon host one of the few quantum computers in the world. Our region will be a benchmark, and this brings both new opportunities and responsibilities: to prepare, inspire, and turn more women into role models for this emerging sector.”

€4,000 PRIZE

Women up to 40 years of age from any digital field may participate in this edition. Candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated by others. There will be a single award, and the jury will consider the following criteria: the candidate’s future potential, her professional track record, and her ability to inspire and empower other women in the sector.

Registration is already open, and nominations may be submitted via the website gladyssaria.eus until June 1. The winner will receive a €4,000 prize.

STATEMENTS

Other collaborating organizations also shared their perspectives:Iker Usabiaga, Director of Social Management at Danobatgroup: “Danobatgroup has supported the Gladys Award since its first edition. We believe that fostering women’s digital talent and the interest of new generations in STEAM fields is essential to meet the challenges in the machine tool and advanced manufacturing sectors.”