Technology company Wise once again awards an outstanding female student at the University of Tartu
The Wise scholarship, awarded at the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu, was awarded to Yucui Wu, a master's student in the computer science curriculum, whose homeland is China. The 2,000-euro scholarship is aimed at outstanding female students in the field of technology, offering them support in their education and encouraging women to explore career opportunities in technology.
Wu is researching the applications of machine learning in environmental sciences with her master's thesis, including developing deep learning models for analyzing plant behavior. Alongside her studies, Wu works as a software development intern at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she develops IoT-based backend systems and data visualization tools for global infrastructure projects. In addition, Wu mentors fellow students in programming and supports women in technical initiatives by participating in coding workshops, networking, and open source projects. She believes in promoting inclusive and accessible technology education, which is also the foundation of the Wise Scholarship.
According to Yucui Wu, receiving the Wise Scholarship is both an honor and a great source of motivation for her. “ It reaffirms my passion for data science and research, allowing me to focus more on expanding my knowledge and contributing to innovative projects. This support not only eases the financial burden but also strengthens my commitment to achieving academic and professional excellence,” said Wu. She thanked both the Wise and the University of Tartu Foundation for this opportunity and added that she will make the most of this.
According to Kallol Roy, Wu’s master’s thesis supervisor and lecturer in artificial intelligence at the University of Tartu, the research conducted by Wu has demonstrated her strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and deep understanding of data-driven methodologies. Roy therefore firmly believes that Wu embodies the values of the Wise scholarship, not only through her technical excellence, but also through her commitment to inclusion and fostering innovation.
Sandra Horma, Head of Financial Crime Operations at Wise, said that the doors to the world of technology should be equally open to everyone, regardless of gender. “Even today, there is still a clear underrepresentation of women in positions requiring technological expertise, and this is even more the case when looking at leadership positions. To create balance in this equation, we have created several support and mentoring programs at Wise and are introducing the IT field more broadly, including to young people. We are working to ensure that even more girls and women see the exciting career opportunities that the world of technology offers,” she explained.
Wise is supporting female students at the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu for the fifth consecutive year. In addition to financial support, Wise offers mentorship with top Wise specialists, and networking opportunities. The next Wise scholarship competition will take place in the upcoming fall semester, when applications will be opened on the University of Tartu Foundation website.