The importance of women's participation in the IT sector, and in particular in the programming of artificial intelligence (AI), is often underestimated. Rocio Senger has received her second scholarship from the Professor Wolfgang Maria Fischer Foundation and is a student in the master's degree programme Digital Business Systems after already completing her bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems at THWS. She understands the need for a female perspective in the IT world. In an interview with Fokus Orange, Rocio talks about how she came to receive the scholarship and what challenges and advantages she sees as a mother of two in her studies.
Published on 28 May 2025
How did you come to study at THWS?
I grew up in Mexico and have lived in Germany for ten years. My father is German and has family here in the region, which is why I moved here. I studied business administration in Mexico, but my degree was not recognised in Germany. My only options were to apply for jobs that did not require any qualifications and were therefore poorly paid, or to go back to university. That is when I found out about THWS – I particularly liked the strong practical focus of the degree programmes.
THWS has become like a part of my family. Four years of bachelor's studies, now three years of master's studies. I was given the opportunity to work part-time at THWS. I have received a lot of support here – THWS is a big part of my life here in Germany.
What excites you about IT and business information systems?
I've always been enthusiastic about technology, so computer science was an obvious choice. I simply enjoy topics related to mathematics, logic, and programming. I particularly like the opportunity to be creative. When you develop a new system, you have the opportunity to design something completely new from scratch – that freedom is wonderful.
What challenges do you face during your studies, especially considering that you also have two children?
The biggest challenge is definitely time management. You have many roles to fulfil – studying, being a mum, working, running the household. Nevertheless, I have always had a lot of support from my partner and my family. The hybrid teaching at THWS is also a big advantage, as I can sometimes attend lectures from home. Especially in the master's programme, there are many project assignments that allow me to organise myself and my team, so this flexibility is also very helpful. I also find it challenging to make time for myself during stressful periods in order to clear my head.
How do you make time for yourself?
As a student and a mom, I do not have much time left. However, I think it is very important to take time for yourself every now and then. I really enjoy the quiet moments in the garden – I love animals and nature. We now have guinea pigs, and when I take care of them or the plants in the garden, I can really relax.
How did you find out about the scholarship from the Professor Wolfgang Maria Fischer Foundation?
We received an email from THWS with the announcement and the criteria to be met. It was a bit funny because the first reaction of one of my fellow students was that it was unfair that the scholarship was only open to women. Ultimately, however, you have to be aware of how underrepresented women are in the IT industry, and that is precisely what the scholarship aims to promote. At first, I was a little unsure whether I had any chance at all. But since I was able to meet the requirements, I simply applied by email with the relevant documents and it actually worked out.
You have already received the scholarship for the second time – how do you feel about that?
To be honest, I was a little surprised at first and wondered whether what I was doing was really that special. I am studying because I want to be independent as a woman and also want to serve as a role model for my daughter. At first, I didn't realise that this double burden I carry is something to be really proud of – that came mainly with the scholarship award. Receiving the scholarship gave me recognition and made me realise that I can be very proud of myself.
How does the financial support of EUR 500 per month help you?
Even though the award is actually the best thing about the scholarship for me, the financial support is of course very helpful. My partner is on 50 per cent parental leave for our child, who is only eight months old – so naturally, part of our monthly income is lost. This also gives me the opportunity to create a little more space for myself and focus more on my studies. I am very grateful for that.
Do you have any advice for women or mothers who would like to study IT?
Basically, I think women are often insecure and underestimate themselves and what they are capable of. That is why my tip is to just give it a try and not let your doubts get the better of you. As a mother in particular, you have very good time management skills, which can also help with your studies.
Especially in the field of computer science, you should not be put off – everything is possible, and you get a lot of practice at THWS. We have a great women's representative here who provides a lot of support. We also definitely need more female perspectives in IT so that women can play a role in shaping this field and different opinions are represented. I am currently writing my master's thesis on generative AI – this is where you can really see how much bias and data gaps can drive discrimination. This makes it all the more important to take diverse opinions, including those of women, into account when programming technology.
Scholarship from the Wolfgang Maria Fischer Foundation
In 2002, Maria Fischer-Flach and Professor Wolfgang Fischer established the Professor Wolfgang Maria Fischer Foundation with the aim of supporting the education of qualified students enrolled in the bachelor's programme in Computer Science at the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt. In 2008, Maria Fischer-Flach contributed a property to the foundation as an endowment, with which she wishes to exclusively support women who have completed their bachelor's degree in Computer Science at THWS and have taken up a master's programme in Computer Science at THWS.
Further information on the Professor Wolfgang Maria Fischer Foundation