The women-exclusive schemes of DST aim to bring gender parity in S&T through various initiatives
New Delhi, Mar 7 (FN Bureau) These women of grit and determination are only a few among 3521 women across the country who were encouraged to dream despite the challenges of family and childcare because of the WOS scheme of DST. “DST has been committed to give a platform and help women having a career break to come back to mainstream careers in science. Gradually the number of participants have picked up in the last few years, and now more women are approaching us to restart their career not only in science but other fields as well”, said Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Head, Knowledge Involvement for Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) programme.
The WOS scheme includes WOS-A, which caters to basic research and development, WOS-B, focusing on technology adaptation, upscaling of technology and societal component and WOS-C, which centres on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) with a one-year training. “During the WOS programme tenure, women get a stipend, and more than 60 percent of women get employment in various professions in the IPR field. Some of the beneficiaries from this programme have opened their own firms in IPR and are doing very well in their career,” said Dr. Namita Gupta, Scientist G, and Program Officer of WoS-C program. The women-exclusive schemes of DST aim to bring gender parity in S&T through various initiatives. It addresses various challenges faced by women scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education and career and expanding its wings for supporting women from all walks of life to build their careers in STEM fields.
Besides the Women Scientist Program, DST extends its commitment to empower women and increase their participation in STEM through the Vigyan Jyoti, Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI), (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation & Excellence(CURIE), and Indo-U.S. Fellowship for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (WISTEMM) and is opening up more.