VigyanJyoti: Encouraging Girls to take Science as a Rewarding Career
It is said, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines have been male-dominated. Women are understood to be under represented due to factors like societal norms, lack of exposure, and gender stereotypes. Recognising the need for collective efforts to address this imbalance, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) conceptualised the VigyanJyoti programme as a proactive measure to empower girls and bridge the gender gap in STEM education and careers.
Introduced with the aim to create level playing fields in Science and Technology, this pioneering initiative has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM, especially in the streams where women are underrepresented.
The programme was launched in the year 2019-20, as an initial step at the school level. It targeted meritorious female students from class 9 to 12. DST identified Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) as its implementing partner for VigyanJyoti initiative due to an extensive network of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) spread over 600 districts in India. Presently, 300 JNVs are acting as ‘VigyanJyoti Knowledge Centres’, to nurture girls from JNVs, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), government schools, Army Schools of small cities and rural areas. This approach aims to ensure greater diversity and inclusivity in STEM participation.
The Journey So Far
Since its inception, VigyanJyoti has completed four phases wherein more than 50,000 meritorious girls have benefitted through a diverse range of activities, including science camps, specialised lectures, additional academic support, student-parent counselling sessions, interactions with role models, tinkering activities, coding sessions,
C-STEM sessions, Sparkle Series, workshops, career counselling sessions, STEM-PORIUM: VigyanJyoti e-news-letter, capacity building work-shops for teachers, visits to Knowledge Partners, research labs, industries, and NGOs, etc. All are organised under the programme to foster enthusiasm and motivation among participating girls.
In its 5th Phase in 2024, the VigyanJyoti programme expanded to encompass 300 Districts across 34 states/Union Territories in the country.
Inspiring Girls to Pursue STEM
One of the key components of the VigyanJyoti programme is early intervention and outreach through various awareness campaigns, workshops, and interactive sessions held in schools. By showcasing the real-world applications and opportunities in these streams, the VigyanJyoti programme eliminates myths and misconceptions, encouraging girls to consider STEM as a viable and rewarding career path. Moreover, the VigyanJyoti programme provides scholarships and additional academic support to enrolled female students and prepares them for higher education in STEM disciplines.
Mentorship by Experienced Professionals
In addition to financial support, the VigyanJyoti programme offers mentorship and guidance to enrolled girls through a network of experienced professionals in the STEM community. These mentors provide invaluable advice, encouragement, and career guidance to help girls navigate the challenges and opportunities in STEM fields. By fostering meaningful connections and mentorship, the programme nurtures a supportive ecosystem where young girls can thrive and succeed.
Another significant aspect of the VigyanJyoti programme is its emphasis on hands-on learning and practical exposure. Through internships, workshops, and industry visits, participating students get the opportunity to gain real-world experience and insight into various STEM disciplines. This experiential learning not only enhances their academic knowledge but also helps them develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork, which are crucial for success in STEM careers.
Over the years, the VigyanJyoti programme has made significant strides in promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields. By inspiring, empowering, and equipping girls with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed, the programme has opened doors and shattered stereotypes, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in science and technology.
VigyanJyoti programme stands as a shining example of the transformative power of quality education, guidance, nurturing and support.
The long-term goal of the VigyanJyoti programme is to bring gender parity across the STEM fields through hand holding and providing continuous support to the girls from school to college and then to pursue research and careers in under represented areas of STEM. By investing in young women's potential and removing barriers to entry in STEM fields, the programme will not only change individual lives but also enhance the STEM ecosystem by promoting diversity.
Interview
Prof. Abhay Karandikar
Secretary, Department of Science & Technology,
Govt. of India
What is the social impact of the VigyanJyoti initiative of DST?
The VigyanJyoti is a remarkable initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) that aims to enhance participation of women in certain subject areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) where their number is low. DST is making commendable efforts to revolutionise the women's participation in STEM through VigyanJyoti programme. This programme starts from Class IX and caters thousands of girls every year from almost 39% of the districts in the country and is actively contributing to the growth and development of girls for pursuing STEM education and careers by providing them with necessary resources and support. The programme is based on inclusive approach and thus also provides counselling to parents regarding girls' education and wonderful opportunities available in STEM fields. This initiative is a significant step towards bringing gender parity across the STEM fields and empowering women to achieve their full potential.
Please shed light on key milestones and achievements of this initiative.
VigyanJyoti programme started its journey from 50 districts, extending to 300 districts in 34 states/UTs as of date. The programme has its presence in 43 Aspirational Districts of India as well. More than 52,000 girls of Class IX to XII have benefitted in four phases (till March 31, 2024) and around 30,000 girls have been enrolled for Phase-V which will run through FY 2024-25.
What new dimension/s DST has added to the VigyanJyoti initiative to attract more girls to this unique programme?
Various year-round STEM activities are conducted under VigyanJyoti, with a special emphasis on technology-driven workshops such as coding, robotics, cybersecurity, etc.
What is the future roadmap of the initiative?
The Department of Science and Technology is actively working on expanding the programme to reach more districts across the country, aiming to extend its benefits to girls nationwide. Furthermore, efforts are underway to broaden the support provided by the VigyanJyoti programme, with a focus on empowering girls to pursue higher education in STEM fields at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in underrepresented areas of STEM.
VigyanJyoti: Nurturing Curiosity in Girls for Science
The VigyanJyoti Programme by the Department of Science & Technology has gained significant popularity among girls due to its innovative activities. The programme's goal is to inspire girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), particularly in areas where female participation is low, to achieve a better gender balance across fields. VigyanJyoti provides various opportunities to talented girls in Class IX-XII from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), KVs, Army, and other Government Schools at VigyanJyoti Knowledge Centres. These centres, located at JNVs, collaborate with Knowledge Partners such as IITs, NITs, IISERs, National R&D labs, Central/ state Universities, etc.
Contributed by Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC), CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR). Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com).
Views expressed are personal.