International Summit on Women in STEM | 25 Jan 2020
Why in News
The Department of Biotechnology (Ministry of Science & Technology) organized an International Summit on Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in New Delhi in January 2020.
- The overall aim was to boost the participation of women in the STEM fields for the development of a scientific career.
- Theme: Visualizing the Future: New Skylines.
Key Points
- The objective of the summit was to showcase successful women in the field of STEM as real-world examples of women scientists, doctors and engineers as well as the rewards associated with it.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
- It is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in 4 specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.
- A robust STEM education creates critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and next-generation innovators.
- India is one of the countries that produce the highest number of scientists and engineers, the growth of STEM has picked up significantly over the last few years.
- According to the National Science Foundation, it is predicted that 80% of the jobs created in the next decade will require some form of math and science skills.
- Despite having the top-quality talent, the exam-focused education model of India has limited students when it comes to innovation, problem-solving and creativity. This is where the STEM players come in to fill this gap.
- Under Article 51A of the Constitution of India it is a duty of every citizen of India to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.