National Conference to Showcase Ctting Edge of Science & Technology by Women

The Department of Science & Technology is organizing a two-day National Conference on the theme of Showcasing Cutting Edge of Science & Technology by Women on 8-9 March, 2008. The conference will be inaugurated by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on the International Women's Day. Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences will preside over the function. The Venue of the conference is Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

The objectives of the conference include the following:

•To present the work of women scientists who have excelled in scientific research in identified areas.
•To discuss ways to address gender issues and factors which hinder the growth of women in science.
•To create awareness regarding available Government schemes for promoting science careers of women.

A galaxy of speakers will be addressing the conference.

Women scientists from Government and private Research Institutes, Universities and Colleges and Industry Research and Development Units are the target audience of the conference.

The Ministry of Science and Technology set up a National Task Force for Women in Science in December 2005, having tenure of three years to look into the issues related to women in science and recommend measures to facilitate the practice of science by women. The Task force is headed by an eminent woman scientist Dr Mahtab Bamji. The fourteen-member Task Force has scientists and technologists drawn from different streams of science and technology. During the past two years the Task Force has interacted with women scientists in different parts of the country covering R&D Institutions, Universities and colleges and based on the inputs provided have come up with some interim recommendations. The organization of the National Conference to showcase cutting edge of science and technology by women is one of them.

Source: Press Inormation Bureau
Date: March 06, 2008