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Norha M. Villegas, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized software engineering leader with over 20 years of professional experience, currently serving as a Professor and Director of the Bachelor of Software Engineering Program in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Victoria (UVic). Her work integrates software engineering research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and STEM education to tackle complex societal challenges. Prior to her full-time appointment at UVic in July 2026, she was the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Design, and Applied Sciences at Universidad Icesi in Colombia, where she significantly advanced the regional tech ecosystem, STEM research, and nationwide higher education. Her academic and professional background spans foundational contributions to intelligent, resilient, and trustworthy software-intensive systems—including self-adaptive systems, digital twins, context-aware computing, and agentic AI ecosystems—alongside active leadership in international networks and IEEE committees, such as her tenure as a TCSE Executive Member. Dr. Villegas has fostered robust global collaborations across Europe, North America, and Latin America, and she was the first woman in Colombia to achieve IEEE Senior Member status. Her dedication to expanding diversity, mentoring hundreds of women, and championing inclusion in technology and STEM education has earned her prestigious global recognitions, including the 2022 Globant Women that Build – Global Digital Leader Award.
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