2018_05_17_lacaixa-microsoft

CaixaBank and Microsoft presented the WONNOW Awards at the University of Navarra, an initiative that is committed to talent and aims to promote diversity and the presence of women in the field of technology and science from the beginning of their professional career degree program . Female students enrolled in the final year of science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees at the 84 Spanish universities will be able to apply for the awards.

The event was attended by Ana Díez Fontana, regional director of CaixaBank in Navarra, and Óscar Sanz Martín, director of Education of Microsoft in Spain; while Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero and Tomás Gómez-Acebo, President and Vice President of students of the University, acted as hosts.

In addition, quotation has been given at presentation María Iraburu, Vice President of academic staff, as well as twenty students who are part of the Women for Science and Technology, a platform created by the University of Navarra to help students of scientific careers to develop professionally through various activities, seminars and mentoring. Specifically, they are students in their last year of Biology, Biochemistry , Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.

The WONNOW Awards will include 11 awards to highlight the best students in Spain. On the one hand, a cash prize award will be awarded to the student with the best academic transcript , who will receive a cash prize of 10,000 euros. On the other hand, 10 students will be awarded a prize and will have access to a paid scholarship to work at CaixaBank. They will sign a 6-month internship contract with the possibility of joining business at the end of this deadline. In addition, they will also benefit from a mentoring program provided by Microsoft, which will offer advice on aspects related to the development of their professional degree program in the technology industry.

As pointed out by Ana Díez Fontana, territorial director of CaixaBank in Navarra, "with the announcement of these awards we want to reward excellence, both academic and staff, of women students in technical careers, programs of study that have an increasingly essential role in the development of our society but in which the female presence is reduced. This initiative is part of our banking model : committed to the environment, socially manager and contributing to the development of individuals and society as a whole".

For his part, Óscar Sanz Martín, director of Education of Microsoft, stressed that "transmitting to young women the passion for Technology and awakening their curiosity for the world of Science will facilitate the access of more women to the ICT industry, which is essential to ensure the long-term competitiveness deadline of Spain. With the creation of the WONNOW Awards together with CaixaBank, we want to contribute to this goal, distinguishing the best talent, giving visibility to female role models reference letter in the STEM sector and promoting diversity in the technology industry".

All those interested in participating in this initiative can submit their candidacy on the website www.WonnowAwards.com until June 30. In order to choose the winners, in addition to their academic transcript , their experience staff will be taken into account. Those interested must complete a form, which includes some questions to examine their merits and learn about their profile. In addition, they must attach their curriculum and the most recent grade average. The award winners will be announced in September.