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    HomeLatest NewsWhy Women in STEM Matter: Dr. Kamalika Banerjee Speaks at the Launch...

    Why Women in STEM Matter: Dr. Kamalika Banerjee Speaks at the Launch of DETermined Scholarship

    In an engaging address at the launch of Duolingo English Test DETermined Scholarship in New Delhi last week, Dr. Kamalika Banerjee, Strategic Alliances Division, Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, emphasized the critical importance of increasing women’s participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Highlighting historical and contemporary examples, she emphasised how the absence of women in STEM, research and decision-making has led to biased outcomes, accentuating the need for inclusivity to ensure equitable progress.

    Also read: Our Mission is to Develop Best Education and Make it Universally Accessible – Severin Hacker, Duolingo

    Dr. Banerjee cited instances where a lack of female representation skewed outcomes in medicine, automotive safety, and artificial intelligence. “Looking at examples from the history of science, the absence of women in decision-making roles and research ideologies has led to significant shortcomings in scientific experimentation. A notable case is in the field of medical science and drug development. For instance, when women were not adequately represented in clinical trials, a sleep aid was prescribed at the same dosage for both men and women. This oversight caused excessive drowsiness in women, increasing the risk of accidents. Consequently, the FDA later had to revise and lower the dosage for women. Involving women in research and experimentation ensures that studies are more inclusive and yield results that are broadly applicable, leading to a better understanding of diverse perspectives and needs,” she said.

    She also shared another interesting example: “In car safety, crash test dummies were traditionally designed based on male body specifications, leading to a 47% higher risk of injuries and fatalities for women in car crashes.” She also added that women in STEM was important especially in areas of AI innovation as it helps address biases in machine learning models.

    “AI is undoubtedly a transformative force today and will continue to shape the world for many years, if not decades, to come. Since AI relies on machine learning, where systems learn from past data, it is crucial to include women’s perspectives in its development. Without this inclusivity, existing biases in the world are often perpetuated, as has been evidenced in past cases where these biases negatively impacted communities. Therefore, incorporating more women into STEM fields, particularly in science, technology, and innovation, is essential for creating balanced and equitable advancements in AI and beyond,” she added.

    Role of Indian Women in STEM in Developing India

    Dr. Banerjee spoke passionately about the untapped potential of Indian women in STEM. Reflecting on her own academic journey from IIT Delhi and her time as a faculty member, she praised the intelligence, ambition, and energy of young Indian women: “My academic journey began at IIT Delhi, one of the premier institutes in the country. I have also served as a faculty member at a state university. Across educational institutions in India, I have observed that women, particularly young girls, are incredibly intelligent, ambitious, passionate, and energetic. They possess a strong desire to make a meaningful impact on the world. When we envision Vikshit Bharat 2047, these women are determined to play a significant role in shaping that vision. I firmly believe that initiatives like the Duolingo English Test DETermined scholarship will provide vital support to these ambitious women, enabling them to achieve their career goals, contribute to society, and drive the nation forward toward a prosperous future.”

    Government of India’s Initiatives

    Recognizing the importance of empowering women in STEM, the Government of India has launched a series of initiatives across various ministries. Some notable programs include:

    • DST INSPIRE Program and Vigyan Jyoti: Encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers.
    • Women’s Scientist Scheme: Supporting women scientists in their research.
    • DBT Biocare Program: Promoting women researchers in biosciences.
    • Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEM: Providing international exposure to women scientists.

    Additionally, Dr. Banerjee highlighted initiatives led by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, including:

    • Kalpana Fellowship by Sky Root Aerospace: Empowering women researchers in aerospace.
    • Bayer’s Women Empowerment Award and Legrand Empowering Scholarship: Supporting women college students.
    • Internships and fellowships by Biocon Foundation and Hyderabad Cluster: Enabling hands-on research opportunities.

    Celebrating Women Achievers

    Dr. Banerjee paid tribute to trailblazing Indian women scientists, such as Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the “Missile Woman of India,” and Dr. Ritu Karidhal, a key leader of the Mangalyaan Mission. To inspire more women, the government has recognized 75 exemplary women scientists through initiatives like “She is” and “Women in Chemistry,” in collaboration with global organizations.

    The address also highlighted initiatives aimed at women entrepreneurs, such as the Digital Innovation Program for Women Entrepreneurs by AWS and the Women Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program by KPMG. These programs provide critical mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities. Dr. Banerjee cited a McKinsey Global Institute report, which estimates that India could add $770 billion to its GDP by 2025 by simply bridging the gender gap in the workforce. She stressed that promoting women in STEM is not just a matter of equality but a path to national progress.

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