IIT Bombay hosted the WINGS (Work & Industry Neutral Growth Skills) workshop for aspiring women leaders. Dr. (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India presided over the event (organized by the Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS) as the Chief Guest.
In her keynote address, Dr. Maini underscored the critical need for balancing power dynamics and ensuring equitable representation of women to drive economic progress. She highlighted that women’s high emotional quotient, when complemented by their intelligence quotient, equips them with the skills necessary for effective leadership, including team coaching, stress management, and collaborative work. Dr. Maini praised women’s multitasking and articulation skills, which allow them to handle various responsibilities efficiently and make well-informed decisions.
Dr. Maini also emphasized the significance of self-belief, celebrating achievements, and overcoming imposter syndrome, which is often more prevalent among women in leadership roles. She urged the attendees to cultivate confidence, competitiveness, and transferable skills to reach their objectives.
Finally, Dr. Maini called for the establishment of a level playing field through supportive policies, a gender-sensitive work environment, and recognition of women’s contributions.
IIT Bombay’s hosting of the WINGS workshop highlights the Institute’s commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering future women leaders. By facilitating such impactful events, IIT Bombay not only supports the development of critical leadership skills among women but also fosters a culture of inclusivity and equitable representation. Through its outreach programs and collaborations, IIT Bombay continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a future where all individuals, regardless of gender, can achieve their full potential and drive meaningful change.
IIT Bombay participated in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, a nationwide initiative conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment aimed at creating a drug-free India. The Institute’s staff took a pledge in the Registrar’s Office conference room. Over 200 students from IIT Campus School and Junior College, Powai, and Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Powai, joined the campaign with enthusiasm. Guided by their teachers, the students held posters with powerful messages like “Say No To Drugs” and pledged to support a healthier, drug-free lifestyle.
IIT Bombay’s active involvement in socially responsible initiatives like the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan reflects its commitment to fostering a drug-free and healthy environment within its campus. The movement also extends to the broader community, inspiring future generations to lead responsible and impactful lives.
IIT Bombay recently celebrated National Space Day with an engaging exhibition that highlighted the wonders of space and the Institute’s contributions to space technology. The event was inaugurated by Deputy Director KV Krishna Rao, who delivered an inspiring address on the importance of space innovation and its potential to transform our understanding of the universe.
The exhibition featured a captivating collection of cosmic imagery, showcasing the beauty and mystery of the universe. These stunning visuals, provided by professional astrophotographers from The Sky Explorers and Krittika – The Astronomy Club of IIT Bombay, offered a glimpse into the grandeur of space and ignited curiosity among visitors.
In addition to the visual feast, the event also showcased various innovative projects from IIT Bombay’s Mars-Rover Team, the Rocket Team, and the Student Satellite Project, reflecting the Institute’s dedication to advancing space exploration and technology.
The National Space Day exhibition not only celebrated the vastness of space but also underscored IIT Bombay’s role in pioneering space research and fostering technological advancements.
IIT Bombay hosted the inaugural Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme (INUP) on campus. Launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in association with IIT Bombay and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), it expanded in 2021 to include IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Madras.
The meet was inaugurated by Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, with notable Guests of Honor including:
- Dr. R. Chidambaram, former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India
- Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani and former Director of IIT Delhi
The program has provided access to MeitY-supported semiconductor nanofabrication facilities for academic researchers and, more recently, startup companies nationwide. It also supports industrial training in alignment with the India Semiconductor Mission.
The Users’ Meet, co-organized by the six host institutes, celebrated the program’s accomplishments and discussed its future direction. The event brought together researchers, academicians, and industry professionals who have benefited from INUP.
IIT Bombay’s hosting of the INUP Users’ Meet highlighted the program’s pivotal role in advancing nanoelectronics research and fostering industry-academia partnerships. The event reinforced IIT Bombay’s commitment to driving innovation and supporting India’s semiconductor mission, bridging academic excellence with practical industry applications to fuel technological progress.
IIT Bombay hosted the inaugural Stakeholders Consultation Workshop for the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) upcoming Medtech Mission. The workshop was a significant step towards shaping the future of medical device development in India.
The event was inaugurated by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, DST Secretary, and brought together a diverse group of experts from DST, academia, startups, and the healthcare sector.
The session facilitated in-depth discussions on the key components of the Medtech Mission, with participants sharing valuable insights and perspectives. This collaborative effort marks a crucial phase in advancing India’s capabilities in the medical technology sector and aiming to foster innovation in medical device development in the country.
IIT Bombay’s role in hosting this pivotal workshop underscores the Institute’s unwavering commitment to driving impactful collaborations that advance India’s technological frontiers. The Medtech Mission promises to be a catalyst for transformative change, positioning India at the forefront of global medical innovation.
IIT Bombay officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation), Government of Maharashtra, at Varsha, the Chief Minister’s residence in Mumbai.
The ceremony was attended by:
- Hon. Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde
- Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis
- MITRA CEO Mr. Praveen Pardeshi
Representing IIT Bombay were:
- Prof. K. V. Krishna Rao (Acting Director and Deputy Director)
- Prof. Bakul Rao (Chair Professor, CTARA)
- Prof. Upendra Bhandarkar (Associate Dean, R&D)
This MoU marks the start of a strategic partnership where IIT Bombay will serve as a key knowledge partner in Maharashtra’s ambitious transformation efforts. The collaboration to drive the overall sustainable development across the state will focus on supporting policy advocacy, research, innovation, and capacity building, with emphasis on areas such as Data, Monitoring and Evaluation, and GIS. This partnership is crucial to Maharashtra’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2027 and a $3.5 trillion economy by 2047.
This MoU between IIT Bombay and MITRA not only signifies a pivotal collaboration but also underscores IIT Bombay’s commitment to leveraging its expertise for the broader development of Maharashtra and the nation. The Institute’s outreach programs play a crucial role in driving sustainable development, enhancing governance, and fostering economic growth. As IIT Bombay continues to align its strengths with the state’s transformation goals, it reaffirms its position as a vital catalyst in shaping a prosperous and progressive future for Maharashtra and India as a whole.
IIT Bombay commemorated India’s 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2024, with a ceremony held near the iconic arch in front of the Nandan Nilekani Main Building. The event began at 9:00 a.m. with the hoisting of the National Flag by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of the Chief Guest and distinguished alumnus Mr. Deepak Satwalekar (B.Tech. (Hons.), Mechanical Engineering, 1971).
In his address, Prof. Kedare extended warm greetings to the IIT Bombay community, reflecting on the Institute’s recent achievements and milestones. He also highlighted the significance of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ celebrating 78 years of India’s progressive independence.
The campus was adorned with tricolour lights, enhancing the festive atmosphere. The event featured a vibrant student cultural program and a tree plantation drive, both symbolizing growth and unity. The event also showcased the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, encouraging campus residents to display the national flag at home and take selfies at a special booth near the hoisting arch.
Prof. Kedare and Mr. Satwalekar honoured Shri Prem Bahadur Gangabir Pun, Sr., a multi-skilled assistant from the Department of Civil Engineering, for his 40 years of dedicated service to the Institute.
The ceremony, which was well-attended by faculty, staff, and students, was broadcast live on the Institute’s YouTube channel.
In a significant stride towards enhancing collaboration between academia and government, Ms. Sujata Saunik, the newly-appointed Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, visited IIT Bombay to explore avenues of partnership between the state government and the institute. The visit focused on leveraging IIT Bombay’s expertise across various domains to bolster government initiatives and capacity-building efforts.
Ms. Saunik engaged in detailed discussions with Prof. KVK Rao, Deputy Director (Finance and External Affairs) of IIT Bombay, and faculty members representing diverse departments on integrating technological advancements into state government programs. The discussions spanned critical sectors such as infrastructure development, housing, transportation, water management, healthcare, skill development, climate change adaptation, and disaster management.
A pivotal highlight of the meeting was the proposed collaboration through the SANGAM Fellowship, to be anchored by the Global Initiative for Sustainable Energy (GISE) Hub at IIT Bombay. This initiative underscores a strategic effort to empower government agencies with cutting-edge technological solutions and innovative approaches developed at the institute.
The fruitful deliberations culminated in a mutual agreement to forge a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IIT Bombay and the Office of the Chief Secretary in the future. This MOU is poised to serve as a framework for collaborative projects that will directly contribute to the socio-economic development of Maharashtra and the nation at large.
The visit by Chief Secretary Ms. Sujata Saunik to IIT Bombay marks a significant step forward in fostering synergies between academic research and governmental policy implementation, aiming to address contemporary challenges and propel Maharashtra towards a sustainable and technologically advanced future.
IIT Bombay documented the journey of WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) at the Institute since its launch in May 2023. This initiative plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality by empowering young girls from rural India to explore STEM fields.
Supported by the IEEE CAS Circuits & Systems Society, WiSE invited 10th-grade girls from rural India to experience a week of hands-on learning and mentorship each year. WiSE connected participants with “Winspirers” – extraordinary women role models from various fields – and engaged them in BMP (Break-Make-Program it) activities using lab-developed kits. From constructing light bulbs to FM radios, drones, and autonomous rovers, the initiative sparked interest in STEM careers and fostered aspirations for higher education.
The video below showcases the impact of WiSE, highlighting the commitment of approximately 40 IIT Bombay student volunteers and demonstrating how the program has positively influenced girls from rural areas in Gujarat, Daman, Diu, and Goa.
As a pioneer in educational initiatives promoting gender inclusivity and empowerment, IIT Bombay remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of women leaders in STEM.
We invite you to explore the inspiring journey of WiSE with IIT Bombay below.
Click the link here: WiSE2024 – YouTube
