On December 4th the »WomenTech Network« announced the winners for the »Women in Tech Global Awards 2024« at »supercomputing24« in Atlanta, USA. Dr. Helena Liebelt, professor of computer science at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) and Technical Program Manager for Quantum Computing at Intel was recognized as one of those winners at the largest virtual awards celebration in technology for women, minorities, and their allies. The »WomenTech Network« is the world's largest community for women in tech with more than 9,500 ambassadors in 179 countries.

This year’s competition featured an extraordinary 1,560 contestants representing 128 countries across 21 diverse categories, showcasing the global influence and reach of the Women in Tech Global Awards. Helena Liebelt won bronze in the category "global technology leadership". Prof. Dr. Helena Liebelt has made significant contributions to the advancement of quantum computing and high-performance computing (HPC). She spearheaded the creation of one of Europe’s first Master’s programs in Quantum Computing and HPC, paving the way for technological progress and equipping the next generation of innovators in this cutting-edge field. Beyond academia, Prof. Liebelt is a passionate advocate for accessible scientific communication, bridging the gap between complex quantum computing concepts and the general public. Her groundbreaking work in quantum algorithm development and application has been a driving force in propelling the industry forward, earning her recognition as a true pioneer in the tech world.

“We are honored to be recognized as a winner at the Women in Tech Global Awards 2024,” said Prof. Waldemar Berg, President of DIT. “This prestigious award highlights our dedication to innovation and inclusion within the tech industry, and we are incredibly proud to be celebrated alongside such remarkable leaders and changemakers in this field.”

In addition to honoring tech leaders, the celebration gave nominees, finalists, and guests access to inspiring keynotes by industry leaders, discussions, and opportunities to network virtually with people from all corners of the world. At the celebration, WomenTech Network has been able to shine a light on the most accomplished and inspiring female tech leaders, mentors, and rising stars from around the world.

"On behalf of WomenTech Network, I would like to congratulate Prof. Liebelt and all of our 2024 winners, finalists, and nominees for their hard work and dedication to making positive change within their communities and in technology. WomenTech Network deeply appreciates your ongoing support for our mission to advance gender equality in the tech industry and celebrate the outstanding success of women on a global scale. We are proud that you are part of our outstanding global community", said Anna Radulovski, CEO & Founder, WomenTech Network.

The event served as an inspiring reminder of the importance of investing in education, training, and resources for women and minorities in tech, so they can continue to help drive innovation in the industry.  Some of the success stories from the winners and 700+ influential women in tech will be featured at the world-renowned Women in Tech Global Conference 2025, one of the largest virtual conferences for women working within the tech industry.

About WomenTech Network

WomenTech Network is one of the world's leading communities for women in tech with more than +9500 Global Ambassadors representing 179 countries. +140 000 tech leaders have collaborated with the network to date in order to cultivate a diverse global network that reaches 4.7 million people. WomenTech Network strives to empower women in tech through leadership development, professional growth, and mentorship programs. WomenTech Network hosts regular career networking events and a global tech conference for members to connect with like-minded professionals and learn about job opportunities at leading companies that value diversity.

Learn more about WomenTech Network’s events and programs at www.womentech.net.

About Women in Tech Global Awards

The Women in Tech Global Awards recognize women and organizations making significant contributions to the technology industry through leadership, innovation, and diversity initiatives. Hosted by the WomenTech Network, the awards celebrate individuals and teams driving change and creating opportunities for the next generation of women in tech.

How well are degree programmes set up and how high is the quality of teaching? Insights can be gained from the demand for graduates on the labour market and an analysis of their employment. An expert committee of representatives from universities and the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova is currently working on this issue as part of the UPGRADE project funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme. Delegates visited Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) at the end of November to get to know its service centres and advisory services, which are designed to provide students and alumni with the best possible career prospects.

As an international university, DIT presented itself as a role model for established student offices, alumni work, further education options and support services for those interested in founding a company and for young entrepreneurs. During the five-day visit, the Centre for Studies and the International Office first introduced themselves. Following this, there was an exchange about the work of DIT alumni and the services of the Centre for Academic Further Education. The meeting then continued with the Service Centre for Studies and the Career Service for Cooperative Studies, STEM, and the project coordination for cooperation between faculties and administrative units. Sharing their experiences on internationalisation and integration was also a key topic. Prof. Dr. Marcus Herntrei, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, and Prof. Dr. Martina Heigl-Murauer, Vice President for Internationalisation and Integration, took part in a discussion on possible cooperation with the universities from Moldova. Finally, the group addressed the extensive range of support on offer in the areas of start-up and scaling up companies. To this end, the group visited the Startup Campus in Deggendorfer Veilchengasse and the Bavarian Innovation Transformation Centre in Oberschneiding. Here, Vice President for Third Mission Prof. Dr. Veronika Fetzer presented the DIT’s approach to promoting entrepreneurial thinking and action as well as the university's efforts to forge close links with society and business in the region.

UPGRADE pursues the assessment of employability in the national and international environment as well as the improvement of academic education and the provision of information, advice and guidance centres at universities in the Republic of Moldova. So far, the project group has visited several universities and higher education institutions in EU partner countries for surveys, international exchange and discussions on cooperation opportunities. The project aims to develop a concept for a national framework for measuring and improving employability in Moldova to improve the quality of academic education and to deepen international contacts with universities, higher education institutions and companies.

For more information on the UPGRADE project or on cooperation opportunities with Moldovan institutions, please contact Dr. Viachaslau Nikitsin.

The Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) has been granted the right to award doctorates in the so-called NITRO research area (»Nachhaltige Intelligente Technologien für eine Ressourcenoptimierte Produktion«/sustainable intelligent technologies for resource-optimised production). This was announced by the Bavarian Ministry of Science and the Arts on Tuesday, 16 July. This means that from now on, junior scientists can also do doctorates in this area at the DIT. The first Promotionszentrum ‘Digital Technologies and their Applications (DigiTech)’ was authorized back in October. In both Promotionszentren, the DIT is represented within a network with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg (THA) and Landshut University of Applied Sciences (HaWL).

Within both Promotionszentren, the DIT has the right to award doctorates. Graduates with a suitable Master's degree in the relevant subject areas are qualified. DIT‘s President Prof. Waldemar Berg reports: „A total of 19 professors ‒ including five from the DIT ‒ are part of NITRO due to their scientific expertise and research strength. They are now authorized to supervise doctorates independently“. Research activities at this Promotionszentrum focus on production systems and processes, product design and materials engineering as well as on technology and innovation. The key topics of sustainability and resource efficiency are an integral part of all focus areas. In particular, the DIT is contributing to the areas of nanotechnology, high-frequency and sensor technologies as well as bionics. „All of these key topics are important foundations for further developing intelligent and resource-efficient technologies and are therefore also indispensable for AI, for instance,“ says Berg.

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Dorner, Vice President for Research at the DIT, adds: „The aim is for young scientists to conduct interdisciplinary research into new materials, manufacturing processes and methods for environmentally friendly, resource-preserving and economical production and thus to contribute to solving current social, economic and ecological problems“. While 24 doctoral students have already begun their projects within the first Promotionszentrum DigiTech, the first doctoral candidates are expected to be admitted to NITRO towards the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. „By establishing the two Promotionszentren, the three Bavarian Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) are creating perfect conditions for their students‘ academic careers“, Dorner explains. The right to award doctorates at UAS is a logical step towards recognizing the scientific achievements of their researchers and leading excellent students to a doctorate, just like at universities.

As one of the Bavarian UAS which are strongest in research, the DIT can offer young doctoral students an attractive research environment at its many technology campuses. „Doctoral studies at the DIT have a long tradition,“ says DIT President Berg. „A considerable number of young scientists have already been prepared for a career in research and development in Deggendorf and at our technology campuses in the region through cooperative doctorates with universities“. Today, they work in leading positions in research & development departments and in the management of companies or as professors. Berg also adds: „By collaborating with companies, our doctoral students also gain an insight into the importance of research and innovation in an entrepreneurial context and how science, theory and practical relevance interact.“

Today, scientists at the DIT conduct research at 17 technology campuses at twelve locations within the region and beyond. „NITRO will in particular strengthen research at the sites in Deggendorf, Plattling, Hutthurm, Cham, Parsberg, Weißenburg, Freyung, Teisnach and Pfarrkirchen,“ Professor Dorner concludes. This is because research groups and institutes in the fields of materials research, production technology and sustainability research are based there.

Additional information: Doctorate