At Hypatia Mars, we are celebrating: We have received an award from the DonaTIC prizes in the category “Reference Initiative of Entity, Training Center/Institution.” This award recognizes the role of women in the professional, business, and academic world within the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.
Mariona Badenas Agustí, co-founder of Hypatia along with Carla Conejo González, accepted the award at a ceremony held at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona. For Badenas, “this recognition goes beyond a prize; it represents the closing of a symbolic circle in Hypatia’s history, which began at the gala of these very awards in 2021.”
Since then until today, Hypatia has completed two analogous missions (Hypatia I and Hypatia II) and is about to present the third mission. “Encouraging scientific vocations, especially among girls and young women, promoting female role models to follow in STEM careers, and improving the representation of women in these fields remain our fundamental objectives,” says Carla Conejo, who emphasizes that “female talent is essential to building a fairer and more innovative future.”
The Department of Business and Labor of the Generalitat of Catalonia organizes the DonaTIC awards annually with the goal of recognizing the role of women in the professional, business, and academic sectors of information and communication technology (ICT). Some of the values these awards highlight include promoting female presence in scientific and technological careers, raising the visibility of role models, and fostering vocation among young people.
The DonaTIC Award from the Generalitat of Catalonia not only acknowledges past achievements but also serves as a catalyst for Hypatia Mars to continue advancing its initiatives. The recognition underscores the importance of fostering a culture of diversity and equality in the science and technology landscape. In this regard, Conejo revealed that “this award provides the necessary boost for our project to continue contributing to reducing the gender gap in STEM careers and empowering women in space exploration.”