# Iratxe Esnaola Arribillaga > Basque IT-engineer and university professor **Wikidata**: [Q16517697](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16517697) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iratxe-esnaola-arribillaga ## Summary Iratxe Esnaola Arribillaga is a Basque IT-engineer and university professor born in Zarautz, Spain, in 1981. She specializes in computer science with a focused expertise in free software and Internet technologies. A prominent figure in the Basque academic community, she has served as a chairperson for the Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea (UEU) and currently works in San Sebastián. ## Biography * **Born:** May 7, 1981, in Zarautz, Spain * **Nationality:** Spain * **Education:** University of Deusto * **Known for:** Contributions to computer science, specifically in free software and Internet fields * **Employer(s):** University of Deusto, Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea (UEU), Gara * **Field(s):** Computer Science, Free Software, Internet * **Languages:** Basque, Spanish ## Contributions Iratxe Esnaola Arribillaga has dedicated her career to the advancement of computer science within the Basque Country, bridging the gap between technical engineering and academic research. Her primary professional contribution lies in the field of free software—software distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it. By working in this domain, she supports the development of open technological ecosystems that prioritize user autonomy and collaborative improvement. She has played a significant role in higher education through her affiliation with the University of Deusto and the Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea (UEU), a university established in 1973 that operates in Eibar and serves the Basque linguistic and cultural community. Her leadership within the UEU is notable; she holds a position as a chairperson (associated with entity Q104250501), where she helps guide the organization's academic and strategic direction. In 2013, her expertise was recognized when she served as an invited speaker at the opening of the UEU academic year, a platform used to outline key themes and developments in the field for the academic community. Additionally, her professional experience includes work with the organization Gara, extending her influence beyond traditional academia into the broader industrial and service sectors associated with IT engineering. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Iratxe Esnaola Arribillaga's primary field of expertise? A: She is a computer scientist and IT engineer specializing in free software and Internet technologies. Her work focuses on the practical and academic applications of software that users can freely study and modify. ### Q: Where does Iratxe Esnaola Arribillaga work? A: She is based in San Sebastián, Spain. She has served as an employee or affiliate of the University of Deusto and the Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea (UEU). ### Q: What leadership roles has she held in academia? A: She has served as a chairperson for the Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea (UEU). In 2013, she was also an invited speaker at the opening of the UEU academic year. ## Why They Matter Iratxe Esnaola Arribillaga is a significant figure in the regional landscape of Basque higher education and technology. Her work matters because it fosters the growth of free software and Internet technologies within a specific cultural and linguistic context. By associating herself with the Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea (UEU)—an institution dedicated to Basque language and culture—she helps ensure that modern technological advancements, such as open-source software, are accessible and relevant to the Basque-speaking community. Her role as a chairperson and invited speaker demonstrates that she is not just a practitioner but a leader and thought influencer in her field. She helps shape the curriculum and direction of IT education in the region, influencing how future engineers interact with open technologies. Without professionals like her dedicated to these specific academic niches, the localization of global tech standards and the promotion of free software in regional languages would face a significant void. ## Notable For * **Specialization in Free Software:** Focuses on software that allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute code. * **Leadership at UEU:** Serves as a chairperson for the Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea, a key institution for Basque higher education. * **Invited Speaker:** Selected to open the 2013 academic year at UEU, indicating high standing in the academic community. * **Cross-Sector Experience:** Experience spans academia (University of Deusto, UEU) and other organizations (Gara). ## Body ### Early Life and Education Iratxe Esnaola Arribillaga was born on May 7, 1981, in Zarautz, Gipuzkoa, Spain. She holds Spanish citizenship and is a native speaker of both Basque and Spanish. She pursued her higher education at the University of Deusto, a prestigious private university, where she prepared for her career in computer science and engineering. ### Academic and Professional Career Esnaola Arribillaga operates primarily as a university professor and IT engineer. Her professional base is located in San Sebastián (Donostia). She has maintained strong ties with multiple educational and corporate entities: * **University of Deusto:** Listed as an employer and her alma mater. * **Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea (UEU):** She is a member and chairperson (specifically linked to the entity identified as Q104250501). The UEU, founded in 1973 and based in Eibar, is a cornerstone of Basque-language university education. * **Gara:** She has also been listed as an employee of the organization Gara. ### Field of Work Her technical work is centered on **computer science**, specifically within the domains of **free software** and the **Internet**. As a computer scientist, she studies the theory, design, development, and application of software systems. Her advocacy and professional focus on free software align with the philosophy of allowing users to study and modify the software they use, promoting a more open and collaborative technological environment. ### Recognition Her standing in the community was highlighted in **2013**, when she was honored as an invited speaker at the opening ceremony of the Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea academic year. This role is typically reserved for academics who have made significant contributions to their field and the institution.