Progress Software, the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, announced this year’s recipients of its Women in STEM Scholarship Program. The winners, Dana Bachvarova, Hrista Ivanova and Sherife Tufan, were selected for their strong commitment to development in the field of STEM, contribution to the tech community and leadership.

With the Women in STEM scholarship program, Progress supports the next generation of female leaders in their academic and professional development in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In addition, Progress continues to maintain its Women in STEM fund in the American University in Bulgaria as part of the program.

Dana Bachvarova is pursuing a double major in Computer Science at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” as well as in Accounting and Control at the University of National and World Economy. She mentors students in computational linguistics at High School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics “Atanas Radev” in Yambol, serves as a chairwoman of the Committee for Quality and Educational Standards at Sofia University and is an organizational secretary to the Bulgarian branch of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Hrista Ivanova is a student of Quantum and Theoretical Physics at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” She often represents Bulgaria in national and international competitions, including winning a second place in the national round of the International Young Physicists’ Tournament in 2021 and 2020. She is active in student leadership and is currently participating in the Sofia University Marking Momentum for Innovation and Technological Transfer (SUMMIT) program.

Sherife Tufan is a Computer Science and Information Systems student at the American University in Bulgaria. From the very start of her university studies, she joined different teams developing business software and actively contributed to the creation of solutions for automating complex business processes.

“Congratulations to Dana, Hrista and Sherife – their commitment to knowledge and development, along with their engagement with the tech community is inspiring,” said Lilia Messechkova, SVP, Digital Experience, Progress Software. “We believe that supporting the next generation of women leaders in STEM is key to building a more innovative and sustainable IT environment.”