The first European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI) supported by Huawei concluded on July 27th. Throughout the event, the company’s researchers and executives offered inspiring mentorships and support to EGOI participants.
EGOI, a spin-off from the renowned International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), is a programming competition designed for female students, mostly high-school age, from across the globe. Similar to other programming competitions, participants are typically required to solve a series of algorithmic and problem-solving tasks within a given time frame.
There were 194 female contestants at EGOI 2024. After fierce competition in two rounds, 92 contestants medaled. A total of 15 gold, 30 silver, and 47 bronze medals were handed out. First place was won by Slovak player Eliška Macáková who gained 706 points and showcased extraordinary talent and strength in solving the problems.
This year marked EGOI’s fourth annual edition, which is also Huawei’s first time to be a sponsor. The company shares EGOI’s vision to encourage more young women to participate in the STEM field and nurture their leadership.
Eljakim Schrijvers, CEO of EGOI 2024, acknowledged efforts from the industrial side in improving female participation and leadership in the STEM field. “EGOI is a community. It is not just about winning. It is also about providing a safe space for all participants where they can be themselves without stereotypes and the limitations that come with them,” he said.
Two female senior tech experts from Huawei gave Tech Talk lectures in person. The topics, reflecting industry priorities, were “Challenges in Computer Systems Research: Memory Management” and “Exploring the Power of AI: Introduction to Large Language Models (LLM).”
“At Huawei, we deeply value the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. Our commitment to supporting women in technology aligns seamlessly with the mission of EGOI,” Afke Schaart, Senior Vice President of Huawei’s Global Government Affairs Department, said at the opening ceremony.
Zhou Lun, President of Huawei’s Amsterdam Research Center, also indicated that the company’s support has shown its ongoing commitment to opening up its research platforms which cover wide range of topics including future information terminals, computing, and connectivity for international talent.