Empowering Women in STEM: The Launch of “She for STEM” Initiative in Uttarakhand
In a significant stride toward increasing women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), inaugurated the “She for STEM” initiative during a one-day workshop held at the Regional Science Center, Jhajra. The event was organized in collaboration with the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) and ‘Science Shala’ International on August 10.
The workshop served as a platform to promote awareness and engagement among women in STEM fields. In addition to the launch of the initiative, the Governor introduced several key projects, including a digital library, a STEM dashboard, and the Lab on Wheels project dashboard, aimed at enhancing STEM education accessibility.
Honoring STEM Trailblazers
As part of the event, five remarkable women excelling in the STEM field were recognized for their achievements. The honorees included Dr. Binita Fartyal from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow; Nidhi Pant, Founder of S4S; Dr. Reema Pant, a tech entrepreneur and educationist at Graphic Era University; Dr. Manisha Thakurathi, Dean at IIT; and Dr. Jayshree Sanwal from JNCASR in Bangalore.
Lt Gen Singh emphasized the importance of STEM in driving global social and economic advancement. He noted that nations making substantial progress have prioritized STEM education, and highlighted the need for enhanced female participation in these fields to uplift women’s social and economic status. The Governor encouraged girls to pursue STEM careers, underscoring that women’s rising roles in innovation and technology represent a critical investment in the future of the country.
Encouraging Female Role Models
During his address, Governor Singh praised UCOST for its initiatives in extending STEM education to remote villages and encouraged universities and colleges to involve more female students and faculty in this mission. He called for creating an environment that promotes women and girls as role models in STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, empowering them to confront global challenges with dedication.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Prof. Durgesh Pant, Director General of UCOST, provided insights into the role of women in STEM and discussed the resources available in the digital library, which includes national and international journals and e-books. He also showcased UCOST’s Lab on Wheels, STEM labs, and science conferences held in remote areas, emphasizing their impact on education.
Dr. Darshana Joshi, Founder-CEO of ‘Science Shala’ International, shared her journey in science education, inspiring attendees with her experiences. The workshop also featured an online lecture by Jaya Jagdish, Country Head of AMD India, who discussed transforming challenges into opportunities within future technologies.
Moreover, Dr. Binita Fartyal recounted her research adventures from Nainital to polar regions, igniting interest in the fascinating possibilities of scientific exploration. The event, attended by over 250 participants, including students and officials from ‘Science Shala’, UCOST, and the Regional Science Center, concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Vijay Venu Gopal.
During this gathering, key subject matter experts provided insights on the Lab on Wheels initiative, STEM education, and the benefits of the Digital Library. The presence of influential individuals, including Jitendra Kumar, Manoj Kanyal, and Vikas Nautiyal from UCOST, added further significance to this empowering event.
The “She for STEM” initiative marks a pivotal moment in promoting gender equity in STEM fields and reinforces the commitment to fostering a supportive environment for women in science and technology.
