I joined the School of Engineering at the University of Minho in 1986 as a student of Systems and Informatics Engineering. Alongside an extraordinary group of classmates, I experienced five intense years filled with challenges and unforgettable moments. I had the privilege of learning from professors who left a lasting mark on my journey, nurturing my curiosity and fostering my passion for engineering.
It was also my interest in teaching that led me, in 1991, while still completing my degree, to accept the challenge of joining the Department of Informatics as a teaching assistant. This marked the beginning of a professional path I could never have imagined when I first entered university. Today, as a Full Professor in the Department of Information Systems at the School of Engineering of the University of Minho and a Senior Researcher at CCG/ZGDV ICT Innovation Institute, I have the privilege of working with highly diverse groups of students and researchers, encouraging them to question, innovate, and lead.
Engineering has the power to transform the world. It is present in our everyday lives, improving how we live and helping address global challenges in areas such as sustainability, healthcare, mobility, artificial intelligence, and many others. To think about engineering is, inevitably, to think about diversity, creativity, and inclusion. It is also believed that every contribution matters, no matter how small it may seem. It is the sum of these contributions that enables us to go further, reach more people, and find solutions to highly complex challenges.
To all the young women who are considering their future today, perhaps with doubts, perhaps unsure whether they belong in this field, do not wait until you feel completely ready to begin. We do not always start a journey with the certainty that we have made the right choice. What truly makes the difference is curiosity, perseverance, and the courage to take the first step; it is the determination to give our very best. If you feel the desire to understand the world and help transform it for the better, then you already have everything you need. Engineering is built on knowledge, but also on courage and imagination.
Along the way, expect moments of challenge, uncertainty, and even discouragement. They are all part of the journey. But there will also be unique and rewarding moments: when an idea takes shape, when a problem finds a solution, and when we realise that our work is making a difference in someone’s life. These are the moments that give meaning to everything we do.
Let us move forward with determination and responsibility, placing knowledge, innovation, and ingenuity at the service of the great challenges of our time. May every step we take in engineering contribute to improving lives, reducing inequalities, and building a future in which the well-being of humanity lies at the heart of our decisions.
Opinion Article by
Maribel Yasmina Santos
Senior Researcher, CCG/ZGDV – ICT Innovation Institute
Full Professor, Department of Information Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho
