KU organises national workshop to ‘address gender disparity’ in STEM fields

Calls for increased awareness, support for female scientists, students

Srinagar: The University of Kashmir’s Department of Botany organised a two-day national workshop titled “Empowering Women in STEM: Bridging Opportunities in J&K” to “address the gender disparity” prevalent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.Despite notable advancements in STEM disciplines, research continues to highlight a persistent under-representation of women, the organisers said in a press release issued.It said the statistical data shows women are disproportionately fewer in the STEM workforce and less likely to pursue related degrees and careers compared to their male counterparts.The workshop, held on August 28-29, was inaugurated by KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan, who underscored the critical need for gender equality across academic disciplines, including STEM.Distinguished scientists including Prof Madu Dikshit, former Director of the Central Drug Research Institute; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director at BITS-Pilani, Goa; and Prof Alok Nag, former Dean of South Campus, University of Delhi participated in the workshop.Other prominent participants included Prof Renu Deswal (University of Delhi), Dr Deepa Agashe (NCBS, Bangalore), Dr Suphiya Khan (Shri Ram Institute, New Delhi), Prof Deepa Venkitesh (IIT Madras), Dr Ruhul Jabeen Shah (SKIMS, Srinagar) and Dr Fatima Jalid (NIT Srinagar).The workshop attracted a diverse audience, including faculty members from various degree colleges in the Kashmir Valley, research scholars, students and scientists from multiple universities and institutes.A panel discussion, moderated by Dr Syed Afshana and chaired by the Dean of Research at the University of Kashmir, focused on strategies to overcome barriers faced by women pursuing STEM careers, the statement said, adding that the participants expressed strong support for increased awareness and more frequent seminars to promote STEM opportunities among female scientists and students.The workshop concluded with a consensus on the need for continued efforts to address gender inequality in STEM, with a call for future initiatives to further support and empower women in these fields—(KNO)