Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the inaugural session of the 3-day ‘J&K Women Science Congress 2024’ at University of Jammu.
The Lt Governor commended the unique initiative by University of Jammu and J&K Science, Technology and Innovation Council for transforming the leadership trajectory for women in science, technology and innovation.
He highlighted the consistent efforts of the UT Administration to bridge the gender gap at all levels of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines in J&K. “Today, I am happy to see our daughters are driving innovation and change,” he said.
“We are proud of women scientists and tech leaders. From space to Artificial Intelligence, from entrepreneurship to healthcare, from education to innovation, from agriculture to research, the Nari Shakti is breaking barriers and inspiring the new generation,” the Lt Governor said.
Click here to watch video
The Lt Governor directed Educational Institutions and departments to make policy interventions to further increase women’s participation in Science and allied disciplines.
“I strongly believe the active participation of women in science, technology and research can build India as a global innovation powerhouse. Women-led development in J&K is our prime objective. It is our collective responsibility to achieve this goal,” the Lt Governor said.
He further impressed upon the Universities and different stakeholders to take prominent writers and filmmakers on board for publications and films dedicated to women scientists and innovators of Jammu Kashmir.
Increased female participation in PhD courses and special research projects in science and technology should be ensured, besides necessary financial and technical resource support must be extended to women scientists associated with STEM disciplines, he added.
He instructed the J&K Science and Technology Department to establish a special cell integrated with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor released the abstract booklet on the J&K Women Science Congress 2024.
Dr Vibha Tandon, Director CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, delivered a thought-provoking inaugural talk on “Women in Science: Past, Present, and Future” during the inaugural session. She focused on the impact of Government policies on the improvement of the status of women in the field of science. Prof Tandon highlighted the societal influences on career choices, emphasizing that societal perceptions significantly shape a person’s career path.
Vice Chancellor JU, Prof Umesh Rai, in his presidential address, renewed the commitment of the University for the upliftment of all genders, saying this Congress has been organized in a transdisciplinary mode by dissolving boundaries and evolving education.
Prof Anju Bhasin, Dean Academic Affairs, JU, explained the objectives and deliverables of the three-day Women Science Congress. Prof Jyoti Vakhlu, Co- convenor of the Science Congress, delivered a formal vote of thanks.
The inaugural session was followed by a lecture series by researchers of international repute.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
