A Católica Global School of Law (CGSL), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, has partnered with Google Portugal, creating the Google Inclusivity Scholarships, a cooperation focused on the promotion of knowledge and access to education.

The Google Inclusivity Scholarships will enable selected students from underrepresented groups who wish to apply to CGSL’s LL.M. programmes to have their tuition fees fully covered. The agreement also foresees the sponsorship, by Google Portugal, of the LL.M. Law in a Digital Economy.

The selection of the scholarship beneficiaries is the exclusive responsibility of School, using as criteria the candidates’ belongingness to an underrepresented group and their academic merit.

In the words of Tito Rendas, the school’s Executive Dean, “this partnership fosters the achievement of one of our strategic goals at Católica Global School of Law: to promote access to our programmes and a greater degree of diversity in our student body”.

Helena Siebenrock, a recent graduate from Católica Global School of Law, has been granted The Diana Award for her remarkable dedication in her daily life to create and sustain positive change. This prestigious award is the highest honor a young person can receive for their social action or humanitarian efforts. Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, The Diana Award charity is dedicated to fostering, developing, and inspiring positive change in the lives of young people.

The student leadership in the 'Aberdeen Law Project' has garnered widespread recognition and support. Her groundbreaking initiatives, including the 'OutFit Like' scheme that provides business attire for job interviews, the 'Language Barrier Initiative' that improves accessibility of pro bono services through language support, and the 'Foodbank Partnership' addressing food insecurity, have made a significant impact in the community. Additionally, as a leader of 'Probonoskills.com' (PBS), Helena coordinates tailored training for law clinics, empowering students to bridge the justice gap and serve their communities effectively.

Expressing her gratitude upon receiving The Diana Award, Helena Siebenrock said that she was “honored to have been nominated by a fellow colleague and even more so to have received the Diana Award in recognition of my efforts towards access to justice and education through my previous work at the Aberdeen Law Project and ongoing work at Probonoskills.com”. Both initiatives, she added, “are a testament to what can be achieved when we come together to drive forward positive change, empowering students to do more, help more, and achieve more for communities"

Verónica Mery is this year’s recipient of the Google Inclusivity Scholarship, an initiative that aims to foster a more diverse and inclusive legal community at Católica Global School of Law.

Verónica is a Chilean graduate who has been actively involved in drafting the world’s first-ever constitutional proposal including digital rights and technology regulation. She will be the first student from Chile attending Católica Global School of Law, where she will be pursuing the LL.M. Law in a Digital Economy.

"I am wholeheartedly committed to contributing to the program's international focus and dedication to inclusivity", Verónica remarked. She added that she is hopeful that the LL.M. will enable her "to contribute to the current institutional changes and challenges that Chile is facing in establishing a comprehensive framework of principles and rights for regulating emerging technologies".

Tito Rendas, Executive Dean at Católica Global School of Law, said that this partnership reflects the shared commitment of Google and Católica to providing opportunities for students from underrepresented groups to excel in their education and careers. And he could not be happier with the outcome of this year’s application process. "We received many excellent applications and the choice was not an easy one. We are sure that Verónica will not only make a significant impact on the Class of 2024, but also go on to make a lasting difference in tech policymaking in Chile".