Reflections from Suellen Lages (2025 dg.o Travel Grant Awardee, Ph.D. Student at IFMT - Campus Cuiabá )

“Participating in the 2025 edition of the DGO conference was a truly enriching and unforgettable experience for me. I am an undergraduate student from Cuiabá, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, currently studying Internet Systems at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso (IFMT). I was fortunate to attend the event alongside my professor and research advisor, who has supported and guided me throughout the development of our project.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to present the paper Integrating an Online Management System into Technical Schools: A Step Toward Digital Transformation, which I co-authored with colleagues who, unfortunately, were not able to attend the event in person. Representing them and our collective work at such a prestigious international event was a source of great pride and personal growth.
The conference days were intense and filled with learning. As a non-native English speaker, presenting and interacting in a second language was a challenge I embraced with enthusiasm. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the confidence to share my research with a broader, global audience. Beyond language, the cultural diversity of the attendees made the event even more special. I was able to meet researchers, students, and professionals from various countries, each bringing unique insights and experiences. These exchanges added valuable perspectives to my understanding of digital government and its current developments around the world.
The themes discussed at DGO aligned perfectly with my interests in public digital transformation. I learned about innovative initiatives in areas such as open data, artificial intelligence, citizen participation, and digital service delivery — all highly relevant to the Brazilian context and to the work we are striving to implement in our own institutions.
Beyond the academic and cultural aspects, one of the most rewarding parts of the conference was the connections I made. During the sessions, coffee breaks, and social events, I had the chance to talk to students and researchers from different parts of the world, many of whom were also attending DGO for the first time. These interactions naturally led to friendships, professional networking, and even discussions about possible future collaborations. It was encouraging to find a welcoming community that is genuinely interested in sharing knowledge and supporting one another’s academic journeys. These connections made the experience feel even more meaningful and reminded me of the importance of building bridges across institutions, countries, and cultures.
Another important aspect of this experience was visiting the city of Porto Alegre. Until then, I had never had the chance to visit this part of Brazil. Attending the conference gave me the opportunity not only to explore an important Brazilian city, but also to connect more deeply with my own country’s diversity. It was a pleasant surprise to discover how the city, the people, and the local culture contributed to making this journey even more memorable.
For me, the experience of presenting at DGO went far beyond standing in front of an audience and giving a talk. It was a moment of recognition, connection, and exchange. The feedback I received and the conversations that followed were incredibly valuable and will help guide the next steps of our project and research.
In short, participating in DGO was a milestone in my academic path. It inspired me to continue studying, researching, and contributing to science. I am deeply thankful to the DGO community for creating such an inclusive and welcoming space for dialogue and learning, and for encouraging young researchers like me to take part in these global conversations.”