Jammu, Feb 11: Amidst a fervent call for gender inclusivity in the realm of science and technology, the University of Jammu bore witness to a groundbreaking event today as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the prestigious 3-day ‘J&K Women Science Congress 2024’.
This initiative, marked by a resolute commitment to reshaping the leadership landscape for women in scientific domains, garnered accolades from Lt. Governor Sinha for its transformative potential.
In his address, Sinha commended the University of Jammu and the J&K Science, Technology, and Innovation Council for their unique initiative in transforming the leadership trajectory for women in science, technology, and innovation.
Against the backdrop of an evolving scientific landscape, Lt. Governor Sinha reiterated the significance of amplifying women’s voices and contributions in pivotal domains ranging from space exploration to cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
“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,” he said.
Highlighting the consistent efforts of the UT Administration to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines in J&K, the Lt. Governor expressed his satisfaction at witnessing women driving innovation and change.
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 emphasised.
He further urged Universities and different stakeholders to involve prominent writers and filmmakers in publications and films dedicated to women scientists and innovators of Jammu Kashmir. Additionally, he stressed the importance of ensuring increased female participation in PhD courses and special research projects in science and technology, with necessary financial and technical resource support extended to women scientists associated with STEM disciplines.
In a significant move, the Lt. Governor instructed the J&K Science and Technology Department to establish a special cell integrated with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog.
Appreciating the efforts of the University of Jammu for promoting research and innovation in diverse fields, the Lt. Governor released the abstract booklet on the J&K Women Science Congress 2024 during the event.
The session was attended by notable figures including Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor Jammu University; Prof. Vibha Tandon, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata; Prof. Anju Bhasin, Convener J&K Women Science Congress, along with senior officials, faculty members, scientists, and innovators from J&K and other states/UTs.
