Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: Nurturing STEM, Space Technology Champions

DigiQuity

30th November | The Ambassador, New Delhi

With access, equity, and gender inclusivity at the center, DigiQuity, drove a seminal discourse on strengthening gender-centric approaches to foster girls’ and women’s participation in STEM education and careers. Through a digital-first approach, DigiQuity recognized the need for an inclusive and empowered education system, fundamental to driving socio-economic development, improving access to learning and technology, and highlighting the importance of role models that open the aperture to varied, fungible skill sets that the leaders of tomorrow need.

‘Real science and real tech happen in small labs around the country and it’s important that through initiatives like DigiQuity, we inculcate STEM temperament in learners early on, to use space research and technology for the common man’. Nilesh M. Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC/ISRO), Ahmedabad

Helmed by AIF’s award-winning flagship education Program – Digital Equalizer, DigiQuity brought together thought leaders and experts in education and space technology to drive discourse toward strengthening gender-centric approaches to advance girls’ and women’s participation in STEM education and careers.

The eminent speakers consisted of thought leaders such as Nilesh M. Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC/ISRO), Ahmedabad; Harshit Mishra, Deputy Adviser (Education), NITI Aayog; Dr Mylswamy Annadurai – Former Director, ISRO; Dr Tessy Thomas – Director General of Aeronautical Systems (Retd) and Former Project Director for Agni-IV Missile in Defence Research and Development Organisation; Emma Stanton – Director, South Asia, Center for Inclusive Growth at Mastercard; Prof. Dr Annapurni Subramaniam – Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore; T. Gopalakrishna – Deputy Commissioner, Hyderabad Region, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Project Coordinator, Vigyan Jyoti Programme; Kriti Khatri, Deputy Director, Department of Space, Govt of India, Ahmedabad; Anil C Mathur – Visiting Professor, Centre of Space Science & Technology, IIT Roorkee and Group Director (Retd.), Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad; Dr M R Sujimol, Scientist and Engineer, Delhi Earth Station, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, New Delhi; Mathew Joseph, Country Director, American India Foundation and Dr D Baskaran D, Deputy Director, Digital Equalizer, AIF.

‘With the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat in 2047, access to quality education and technology, especially for girls is the most important hurdle we need to address. Care of siblings, familial responsibilities, low access to secondary and higher secondary education, socio-economic burden, and poor access to technology are the problems that we need to address to enable their full participation in the future economy.’ Harshit Mishra, Deputy Adviser (Education), NITI Aayog

With the world’s third-largest scientific and technical human resource, India has been at the vanguard of scientific innovation over the past decade. According to the World Bank, nearly 43% of all STEM graduates are women, but they constitute only 14% of scientists, engineers, and technologists in research development institutions and universities. The inaugural panel, ‘Championing Change: Bridging Gender Gap in Indian STEM Education and Careers’ deliberated building and driving strategies with a key focus on augmenting a skilled female workforce in India.

‘The world is changing and so are educational concepts and methodologies, and teachers, especially women teachers, as role models are a very important piece of the puzzle for nurturing more girl participation in STEM. Representation Matters!’ – The Missile Woman of India, Dr. Tessy Thomas, Director General of Aeronautical Systems (Retd) and Former Project Director for Agni-IV Missile in DRDO

Women scientists and engineers have made significant contributions to space technology in India. 54 women made their mark in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, putting women at the forefront of this historic moment for India. The second panel ‘Women in Orbit: Role Models Paving a Path for Success in Space Science and Advanced Technology’ brought together scientists from ISR0 to share their inspiring stories and experiences. With Space Science at the forefront of technological innovation, the panel dwelled on the critical need to enhance technological literacy, ensuring students and teachers have access to cutting-edge tools and methodologies, preparing them for the rapidly evolving demands of the future workforce. DigiQuity also created a platform for students to engage with visionaries to drive meaningful participation.

‘What you dream, you become! Women scientists in Chandrayaan haven’t come out of nowhere. They are definitely and deliberately leading. There will be varied challenges in the next decade that demand a lot more learning, a lot more risks, and a lot many opportunities. So, dream big and focus!’ – The Moon Man of India – Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, Former Director, ISRO

For the last two decades, Digital Equalizer has been strengthening efforts to ensure access, quality, and inclusion for girls in STEM education in schools. Bolstering its efforts, DigiQuity serves as a platform to drive dialogue, shared learning, and ecosystem-wide collaboration to drive systemic changes in the education landscape of the country.