The second edition of the National Day of Women in Computer Engineering, organised by one of the newest CEPIS member societies, Spanish General Council of Informatics Engineering (CCII), was celebrated with great success in Santiago de Compostela, bringing together some of the most outstanding professionals in the field. The event underscored the vital role of women in a key technical discipline and emphasized the importance of fostering diversity and equality in building the digital infrastructures that are shaping our society.
The opening session featured remarks from Mercedes Oliva, member of the Women in Computer Engineering working group of CCII and board member of the Professional Association of Computer Engineering of Castilla y León; Fernando Suárez, president of CCII; and Manuel César Vila, Santiago’s Councilor for Economy and Finance. The gathering was a powerful display of talent and leadership, with computer engineers from across Spain reaffirming the strategic value of women in the sector and the urgent need to advance toward professional parity in the digital era.
One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of the Ángela Ruiz Robles Award, which this year honored Catalina Grimalt, Deputy Director General of Organization and Internal Resources at the Port of Barcelona and General Director of Barcelona Port Innovation. The award was presented by María Luisa Souto Grandal, granddaughter of Ángela Ruiz Robles, and Karina Gibert, vice-president of CCII and dean of the Official College of Computer Engineering of Catalonia (COEINF).
Following the award ceremony, Grimalt delivered a keynote address on Smart Ports, the Deployment of 5G, and the Modernization of ICT Infrastructure at the Port of Barcelona for the America’s Cup.
The afternoon program featured a roundtable discussion, Data and Artificial Intelligence as Core Infrastructures of the New Organization, moderated by Patricia Yábar la Roca, member of CCII and COEINF. Panelists included: Susana Ladra, vice-president of the Professional College of Computer Engineering of Galicia (CPEIG) and professor at the University of A Coruña; Tatiana Suárez, senior consultant at Minsait; Núria Albó, data scientist at INECO and AI consultant for SEDIA; Luisa Sanz, spokesperson on Artificial Intelligence in the Spanish Congress of Deputies; and award recipient Catalina Grimalt.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Juana Perea, former CCII representative and board member of the Official College of Computer Engineering of the Balearic Islands (COIIB); Victoria González Molares, member of CCII and CPEIG; and María Quintiana Pérez, Director General for the Promotion of Equality of the Xunta de Galicia.
More information (in Spanish) can be found on the CCII website.
