NECTAR event recognises women’s contributions to science
National Science Day celebrated in city with the theme ‘Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat’
Shillong, Feb 25: In 2022, the Union Minister of Science and Technology noted that women account for 16.6% of the total number of scientists in science and technology organisations. While nearly 40-45% of STEM graduates are women, less than 20% are represented in research roles.
This low representation of women in S&T is what made this year’s theme for the National Science Day event in the city on Wednesday an important step towards raising awareness, if not instilling the zeal to break the glass ceiling in every sphere of science research.
The North East Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR), in collaboration with Smart Village Movement, organised a programme with the official theme ‘Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat’.
The programme highlighted the contributions of women in science. It also encouraged students to explore opportunities in STEM education.
Students actively participated in engaging science activities, simple experiments and creative demonstrations designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Hands-on learning remained a key focus of the programme, showcasing how practical learning can boost the students’ understanding of scientific knowledge.
Chief Guest Tolino Chishi, Assistant Commissioner in East Khasi Hills, said, “At a time when we stand at the edge of a technology-driven world, we cannot afford to leave half our population out of the conversation. The issue is not about blame; it is about representation.”
“Bringing more women into STEM is not a value addition; it is a necessary correction. A system that does not account for 50% of the population cannot be a model system,” she added.
NECTAR and Smart Village Movement aim to promote the importance of STEM education and engage students who previously lacked the opportunity or resources to engage in innovative learning.
