Rector Patricia Stuart was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the fifth Women in Tech LATAM Awards 2026, highlighting her inspiring leadership within the Ulima community and bringing international recognition to Peru. The awards celebrate women making outstanding contributions to Latin America’s technology sector.
Stuart accepted the award with gratitude. "This recognition is particularly meaningful to me because it reflects a conviction that has shaped my career: technology and education can open doors, transform lives, and help build a more equitable society. I also see this award as motivation to continue advocating for greater participation by women in research, innovation, and decision-making about the future of technology," she said.
Women in Tech is a global organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). With a presence in more than 70 countries across six continents, it empowers women and girls through education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and public policy advocacy.
The ceremony took place at Cartagena's iconic Palace of Proclamation—a historic Colombian landmark that today serves as a cultural center.
Nine categories were honored at the ceremony: Aspiring Teen Award, Most Disruptive Award, Best Ally Award, Most Impactful Initiative Award, Woman in Web3 Award, Tech Diplomacy Award, Start-Up Award, Global Leadership Award, and, finally, Lifetime Achievement Award.
"It has been a privilege to share this nomination with Carmela Borst, Delia Barriga, Ilya Espino de Marotta, and Sister Esperanza Sanabria Duran—four extraordinary women whose achievements inspire us to keep contributing to our region. Thank you to Women in Tech Global and to everyone who has been part of this journey. I leave Cartagena with great joy and a renewed commitment to creating opportunities for future generations," said our Rector.
The Women in Tech Awards are being presented this year across seven regions worldwide, including Latin America: Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, the Caucasus and Central Asia, North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Winners in each category advance directly to the Global Awards 2026 as finalists, with the grand ceremony taking place in Paris in December. Rector Patricia Stuart is now part of this distinguished group of leaders vying for the world's top honor.
