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7th edition winner

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For the seventh consecutive year, CaixaBank and Microsoft have awarded the 16 best university students studying scientific and technical degrees in Spain through the WONNOW Awards. These awards acknowledge female excellence in STEM university degrees – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics –, to champion diversity and reduce the gender gap in these sectors.

Since their creation in 2018, the WONNOW Awards have received applications from more than 4,800 students across Spain, accrediting the consolidation of this call, which has become a benchmark across the university sector. This latest edition has set yet another record participation, with a total of 1,078 applications, which is four times the participation recorded for its first edition.

Best academic records

In 2024, the student with the best academic record, personal, professional and social development has been Carmen Tabuenca Gómez (Pamplona), double degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Navarre, having been rewarded with an economic endowment of 10,000 euros and access to a Microsoft mentoring programme.

The remaining successful students who will have access to a Microsoft mentoring programme and will work for a six-month period at CaixaBank with a work contract in key areas such as Digital Transformation & Advanced Analytics, Means and Sustainability, among others, are:

  • Paula Pérez Romero (Cartagena, Murcia), who has studied a double degree in Physics and Mathematics at the University of Granada, as well as a master's degree in Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence at the University of La Laguna, in Tenerife.
  • Olmar Arranz Escudero (Madrid). Graduate in the double degree of Computer Engineering and Mathematics from the Autonomous University of Madrid.
  • Ángela Alarcón Ballester (Alicante), who has studied a degree in Mathematics by the University of Valencia and currently is studying a master's degree in Data Science at the same centre.
  • Sara Cobelo Cabrerizo (Guadalajara), who has studied a degree in Physical Sciences and a master's degree in Theoretical Physics at the Complutense University of Madrid. She is currently studying a master's degree in Data Science at the Autonomous University of Madrid.
  • Carmen Bermejo Navarro (Jerez, Cádiz). Graduate in Mathematics by the University of Cádiz and currently studying a master's degree in Big Data & Business Analytics at the University Pablo de Olavide in Seville.
  • Silvia Riaño Prado (Roda de Berà, Tarragona), who has studies a university minor, programmed degree itinerary at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Entrepreneurship and is currently studying a degree in Computer Engineering in the same centre.
  • Paula Pijoan Gros (Madrid), who is currently studying a double degree in Telecommunications Engineering and Business Analytics at the Comillas Pontificia University: Higher Technical School of Engineering ICAI University.
  • Irene Ramiro López (Cáceres), who has studied a double degree in Computer Engineering and Mathematics at the Autonomous University of Madrid.
  • Alejandra Hernández Sieber (Madrid), who is currently studying a degree in Mathematics at the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
  • Alba Cano Lara (Jaén). Graduate in Computer Engineering from the University of Jaén and currently studying a master's degree in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Málaga.
  • Delia Díaz Prieto (Piornal, Cáceres), who has studied a degree in Computer Engineering with a specific degree in Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking at the Francisco Vitoria University.
  • Anna Sallés Rius (Barcelona). Double degree in Physical Engineering and Industrial Engineering at the Higher Interdisciplinary Training Centre of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia; and a master's degree in Artificial Intelligence by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, the University of Barcelona and the Rovira i Virgili University.
  • Ainhoa Aranda Elvira (Granada), who has studied a degree in Mathematics at the University of Granada and a master's degree in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence at the University of La Laguna, in Tenerife.
  • Noelia Candal (A Coruña). Graduate in Industrial Engineering Design and Product Development at the University of A Coruña, and a university master's in Interaction Design and User Experience (UX/UI) at the Universitat Oberta of Catalonia (UOC).
  • Ana Rojas (Sant Antoni de Calonge, Girona), who has studied a degree in Chemistry (Computational), at the University of Girona and is currently studying a master's degree in Cybersecurity and Privacy, with speciality in Systems, at the Universitat Oberta of Catalonia (UOC).
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CaixaBank's commitment to diversity

Diversity, meritocracy, equal opportunity and talent recognition are some of the pillars of CaixaBank's corporate culture. Under these premises, it works with a commitment to become a benchmark for its employees, promoting inclusion and participation and bolstering projects that promote equal opportunities, both within the company and across society as a whole. In fact, women hold 43% of managerial positions at CaixaBank, and 40% of the Board of Directors is comprised of women.

CaixaBank has the Wengage diversity programme, a Group-wide project developed by people from every area of the company. Based on meritocracy and on promoting equal opportunity, it works to encourage and implement every aspect of diversity: gender, functional, generational, LGBTI, cultural and more. Wengage includes internal measures to involve and create awareness for everyone on the value of diversity, to promote flexibility and balance and to strengthen the role of women, with a focus on internal promotion processes and female mentoring plans. Additionally, CaixaBank is the first Spanish company to obtain the AENOR certification for its mentoring programme.

Moreover, Wengage also rolls out different external initiatives for customers and society as a whole, with a view to driving diversity, based on four main areas of action: leadership and entrepreneurship, by organising different prizes to recognise female leadership in business (CaixaBank Woman Entrepreneur Award and Self-Employed Woman Award); innovation and education (WONNOW Awards for academic excellence by women in a STEM field); sport (sponsorship of the women's national basketball team) and rural environment (AgroBank Chair: Women, business and rural environment, or a study of the gender gap in the agricultural sector by Closingap).

In addition, CaixaBank has rolled out an Equality Plan to promote the principles of equal opportunities and diversity at work, to enhance the presence of women in managerial positions, and reinforce measures to achieve a good work-life balance. The plan features the scope of gender in managerial development programmes and in recruitment and training processes, and the fostering of teleworking and flexibility. 

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About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq «MSFT» @microsoft) creates platforms and tools driven by AI to offer innovative solutions that may meet the constantly evolving needs of its customers. The technological company undertakes to ensure that AI is widely available and to do so in a responsible manner, with the mission of helping every person and every organisation on the planet to more in their day-to-day.

Microsoft is a diverse company in every respect. Its mission as a company is inherently inclusive. Internally, the company promotes a culture that allows its employees to connect their energy and passion for technology with this mission. And for this, diversity is crucial.

The company is committed to digitisation and the development of digital skills as its main focus for reimagining Spain, with the aim of leveraging technology in an inclusive way, allowing for diversity and talent no matter the gender.