Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST): Launching of a new I-STEM initiative

Source: The post is based on the article “Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST): Launching of a new I-STEM initiative” published in PIB on 6th September 2022

What is the News?

On Teachers Day, the Government of India has launched the Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST) Initiative.

What is the Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology(WEST) Initiative?

It is a new I-STEM (Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map) initiative.

Launched by: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.

Aim: To cater to women with a STEM background and empower them to contribute to the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. 

Key Features of the initiative

Pursue Research: Through the WEST initiative, I-STEM shall provide a separate platform to scientifically inclined women researchers, scientists, and technologists for pursuing research in basic or applied sciences in frontier areas of science and engineering. 

Skill Development: The Skill Development programmes under the WEST initiative will provide training for women with S&T backgrounds to brush up on their abilities and become engaged “in the field” filling crucial gaps in the R&D infrastructure of the country.

Support to women S&T Startups: Under the WEST initiative, the current support being provided to S&T startups by women entrepreneurs by I-STEM will be enhanced. For instance, access to R&D facilities and R&D software platforms (COMSOL, MATLAB, LABVIEW, AUTOCAD) will be available through the I-STEM portal.

A digital consortium “Connect Quickly” for an online discussion and immediate support has also been established through the I-STEM WhatsApp and Telegram platforms.