Microsoft Establishes Scholarships for Women in Tech to Honor Late Employee

In a tribute to Lior Dovrat, a beloved Microsoft Israel R&D employee who passed away from cancer, Microsoft is awarding 15 scholarships to women pursuing careers in technology. The scholarships, given in collaboration with the QueenB nonprofit organization, honor Dovrat’s legacy and commitment to uniting technology with social impact. QueenB, a bilingual organization that empowers young women integrating into Israel’s high-tech industry, will select recipients who are studying computer science or engineering and volunteer as mentors.

Dovrat, a member of Microsoft Israel’s “Costo” team, was known for her passion for technology and her vision of using it to drive educational and social change. In a heartfelt note she left behind, Dovrat wrote, “During my illness and the hardship, I made space for the people around me, and they brought light and love into my life. Even in the toughest moments, the love that surrounded me gave me strength to keep going, bringing meaning and value to my life.” Her words reflect the strength and dedication she brought to her work and community, inspiring those around her.

The scholarships will support female students in Haifa and Herzliya who volunteer with QueenB, mentoring younger girls in programming and computer science. These students will also have the chance to spend time at Microsoft campuses throughout the academic year, gaining exposure to the tech industry. This scholarship program continues a five-year tradition by Microsoft Israel R&D of supporting women in STEM, in hopes of increasing diversity in Israel’s technology sector.

QueenB, founded by Yasmin Dunsky in 2016, aims to bridge the gender gap in tech by offering programming instruction in both Hebrew and Arabic, starting with girls as young as eighth grade. Currently, over 800 participants across Israel are mentored by computer science and engineering students who help them develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in STEM fields.

According to recent data, only 28% of Israel’s high-tech majors and 40% of other STEM majors are women, indicating the importance of initiatives like QueenB and Microsoft’s scholarships. These programs are helping pave the way for more women to enter Israel’s thriving tech industry, honoring Dovrat’s vision of a more inclusive and socially conscious field.

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