Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the inaugural session of the three-day 'J&K Women Science Congress 2024' at the University of Jammu.
The Lieutenant Governor praised the University of Jammu and the J&K Science, Technology, and Innovation Council for their pioneering initiative in transforming women's leadership in science, technology, and innovation.
He highlighted the UT Administration's ongoing efforts to close the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
"Today, I am happy to see our daughters are driving innovation and change," said Sinha.
He added, "We are proud of our female scientists and technological leaders for their contribution to the STEM fields.
From space to artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship to healthcare, education to innovation, agriculture to research, the Nari Shakti is breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation," he said.
The Lieutenant Governor directed educational institutions and departments to implement policy initiatives to boost women's engagement in science and related fields.
"I am confident that women's active participation in science, technology, and research would help India become a worldwide innovation powerhouse.
Our primary goal is to promote women-led development in Jammu and Kashmir. "It is our collective responsibility to achieve this goal," said Sinha.
He also urged universities and other stakeholders to recruit capable writers and filmmakers for books and films honouring Jammu and Kashmir's female scientists and inventors.
Increased female involvement in PhD courses and specific research initiatives in science and technology should be ensured, as well as financial and technical resource assistance for women scientists in STEM subjects, he added.
He directed the J&K Science and Technology Department to develop a specific cell that would be integrated into NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor published the abstract booklet for the J&K Women's Science Congress 2024.
Dr Vibha Tandon, Director of the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in Kolkata, gave a thought-provoking introductory address on "Women in Science: Past, Present, and Future" during the first session.
She concentrated on the impact of government policies on the advancement of women's scientific careers. Prof Tandon emphasized the importance of public perceptions in shaping a person's career path.
In his presidential address, Vice Chancellor JU, Prof Umesh Rai, renewed the University's commitment to the upliftment of both genders, stating that this Congress was conducted in a trans-disciplinary style by breaking down barriers and advancing education.
Prof Anju Bhasin, Dean of Academic Affairs at JU, described the three-day Women Science Congress' aims and outcomes. Prof. Jyoti Vakhlu, Co-Convenor of the Science Congress, gave a formal vote of thanks.
The inaugural session witnessed the lectures of prominent international researchers from science and tech.
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