IGNOU organizes Vigyan Jyoti Programme(Motivate Girl Students)
IGNOU organizes Vigyan Jyoti Programme to motivate girl students in the field of Science and Technology with DST
School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has organized a 21 Days Residential Programme for Class 12th Girl students under Department of Science Technology, Govt. of India sponsored Vigyan Jyoti Project “Breaking Stereotypes in the field of Science and Technology for Girl Students through Motivational Guidance”. The inauguration function was held on 29th May 2018 at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Convention Centre, IGNOU Headquarters located in Maidan Garhi, New Delhi and the programme would conclude on 18th June, 2018.
IGNOU is one of the 15 nodal centres across India chosen to implement the Vigyan Jyoti programme. The programme aims to motivate young girl students to take up science, engineering and technology as their career. 30 girl students studying in class 12th in different government schools from NCR were selected on merit basis.
Prof MS Nathawat, Director, School of Sciences welcomed the guests and presented an overview of IGNOU and its School of Sciences. He highlighted that the programme is planned in such a manner that students will be introduced to various streams of science for empowering them with avenues in science, mathematics, environment, technology, engineering and culture, and other career options.
Speaking about the Vigyan Jyoti programme, Special Invitee and the Guest of Honour, Dr. Vandana Singh, In-charge of Vigyan Jyoti programme briefed about the DST’s initiatives, which is a part of the Ministry of Science and Technology with mandate to implement and promote research and development in India. She stated that the Vigyan Jyoti programme aims to promote equal participation and opportunities for women and men in research careers, involving issues ranging from compulsory education for gender balance in scientific decision-making.
Nodal officer of the project, Dr. Meenal Mishra, Associate Professor in Geology, School of Sciences mentioned that there are several factors that affect decision of girl students and their parents to choose science, engineering, technology and mathematics subjects for their career. She informed that there will be 4 academic sessions of 1.5 hours each that include lectures, interaction with students blended with activity. Some of the sessions will be lab based with hands on experiment. There are lectures on Science and Technology domain, career and opportunities in science and technology, soft skill development.
Speaking during the inauguration function, chief guest Prof Neeta Singh, Head, Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, New Delhi, mentioned that the Department of Science and Technology with this initiative encourages more girls and women to take up careers in the domain of science and engineering, where they are under-represented. She inspired the participants with her speech giving several examples. She expressed her happiness about the programme as it will provide the girls students to meet their role models and make them aware of different career options and paths to take up for their future.
Dr. Seema Kalra, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, School of Sciences presented vote of thanks.