Final of the "Become an Ambassador" Competition
Natalia Dominiak and Karolina Skalska from the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering represented Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) in the final of the national "Become an Ambassador" competition, organized by the Leopolda Wild Foundation in collaboration with the Poland in Silicon Valley Centre. Karolina Skalska was named the overall winner of the competition. The initiative aimed to inspire young women to engage in economic diplomacy and promote Poland internationally, particularly in the context of Polish–American relations and the development of innovation.
"Become an Ambassador" is a nationwide competition for female students, organised by the Leopoldy Wild Foundation together with the Poland in Silicon Valley Centre. The contest was open to women aged 18–26 interested in Polish-American relations, diplomacy, technological innovation, and leadership development.
The competition aimed to encourage young women to get actively involved in economic diplomacy, foster interest in diplomacy, Polish–U.S. cooperation, technological innovation, and leadership development. Participants were encouraged to turn their passions into real-world projects, contributing to systemic solutions in technology, innovation, and international collaboration.
One of the main goals was to build strong links between Poland and the United States, highlighting Poland’s competencies in science, technology, and entrepreneurship, while empowering the next generation of female leaders.
In the recruitment phase, contestants submitted an essay in English on the topic: "How to ignite the power of Polish innovation through the Silicon Valley’s ecosystem and on the world’s stage". The task was to propose strategies for enhancing Poland’s role in the global innovation ecosystem, particularly through engagement with Silicon Valley.
In her essay, Karolina Skalska analysed the potential of Poland’s IT sector, focusing on its integration with the Silicon Valley ecosystem. She highlighted Poland’s robust digital infrastructure, thriving gaming industry, national solutions like mObywatel and BLIK, and its strategic focus on artificial intelligence.
– I emphasized the need for a systemic approach if we want to make a lasting impact in Silicon Valley and globally – explained Karolina Skalska, the winner. – My essay covered the importance of university partnerships, student exchanges, industrial PhD programs, cross-border mentoring, startup promotion, mobility of experts, and science communication. I also proposed organizing international IT events in Poland and using social media effectively to reinforce Poland’s image as an innovation-driven country.
Natalia Dominiak addressed similar themes in her submission.
– My essay explored how Polish innovation potential can be connected with the global tech landscape, particularly in Silicon Valley – said Natalia Dominiak. – I proposed system-level initiatives, such as enhancing university–industry cooperation, supporting mentorship programs, and building a vibrant ecosystem of young talent.
Authors of the top essays were invited to a training programme that included meetings with diplomats and international institutions. The final round required the preparation of a video in English on: "Your vision of your impact/contribution to uplifting the brand of Poland. How best to ignite the power of Polish innovation through Silicon Valley’s ecosystem".
In her winning submission, Karolina Skalska presented a personal vision for promoting Polish innovation globally, combining her passions for technology and policy. She drew on her experience as an Aerospace Engineering student at WUT and as an active member of the Vehicle Aerodynamics Student Research Group, as well as her involvement in student government and international initiatives.
– I want to grow both technically and linguistically – I’m planning an internship at an aerospace company, to obtain language certification, and to pursue an MSc in Politics & Technology in Munich – she explained. – I believe that strong engineering foundations, paired with international experience, are key to becoming an effective ambassador of Polish innovation. My proposal included actionable ideas – developing strategic cooperation between Polish universities and Silicon Valley institutions, supporting startups, launching student exchange programmes, and organizing international events in Poland. My mission is to represent Poland and its technological potential on the global stage.
Karolina also gave a presentation titled: "The Importance of Student Engagement: Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow". She introduced the concept of singularity – understood as how small, seemingly minor contributions can lead to major transformations – and applied it as a metaphor for the role of students in innovation ecosystems.
– Despite lacking decades of experience, students bring fresh perspectives, passion, and a desire to learn – making them ideal ‘fuel’ for transformative innovation – she added. – I discussed my role as President of the Vehicle Aerodynamics Student Research Group and how the commitment and dedication of student-led teams can drive breakthrough results.
She emphasized the value of investing in student research groups and academic initiatives as a win–win for both universities and industry.
A Visit to Silicon Valley
As part of the prize, the finalists travelled to Silicon Valley in June 2025, participating in the US–Poland Science and Technology Symposium under the theme: "Opportunities in Singularity".
The event took place at Stanford University and the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Centre. The programme included discussions with leading figures in tech, panels on AI development, innovation, and the role of youth in transatlantic collaboration.
– Both students were part of the official WUT delegation, representing the university not only academically but also as symbols of the next generation of Polish engineers and innovators – emphasized Prof. Agnieszka Jastrzębska from the Faculty of Mechatronics, WUT coordinator for the collaboration with the Poland in Silicon Valley Center. – Their achievements demonstrate the high standard of education at Warsaw University of Technology and confirm that our students are ready to confidently participate in international discussions on science and technology.