WEST: A New I-STEM Initiative

• 07 Sep 2022

For Prelims: Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM), Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST), Prime Minister Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) mission

For Mains: Government Initiatives to Promote Women Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Why in News?

Recently, a new Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) initiative called “Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST)” was launched.

What is WEST Initiative?

• The WEST programme will cater to women with a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) background and empower them to contribute to the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
• 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.
• Women may join the WEST program and explore opportunities to become stakeholders in various domains and pursue careers in R&D at various levels: technicians, technologists, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
  • Opportunities range from operating scientific equipments and maintaining them, to designing and manufacturing them.
• 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” as lab technicians and maintenance engineers.
• The access to R&D facilities and R&D software platforms (COMSOL, MATLAB, LABVIEW, AUTOCAD) will be available through the I-STEM portal.
• In addition, a digital consortium “Connect Quickly” for online discussion and immediate support has also been established through the I-STEM WhatsApp and Telegram platforms.
• A dedicated team of women will ensure the successful implementation of the WEST initiative.

What is I-STEM?

• About:
  • I-STEM is a National Web portal for sharing R&D (Research and Development) facilities.
  • The portal facilitates researchers to access slots for the use of equipment, as well as to share the details of the outcomes, such as patents, publications and technologies.
• Launch:
  • Launched in January 2020. It is an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India under the aegis of Prime Minister Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) mission.
    • PM-STIAC: It is an overarching Council that facilitates the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office to assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges in hand, formulate specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.

What is the Significance of WEST and Way Forward?

• Significance:
  • This initiative will also help bring women back into S&T domains after a career break.
  • Crucial gaps in the R&D infrastructure of the country will be filled.
  • A strong support network for women entrepreneurs in S&T will be built.
  • I-STEM shall provide a platform/forum for women researchers to deliberate on achievements, issues, and exchange ideas on taking the country forward through advances in science, technology, and innovation.
  • Women can become entrepreneurs to serve as consultants for the operation and maintenance of sophisticated equipment/instruments through the I-STEM platform.
  • This would go a long way towards filling a “skills gap”, and putting publicly-funded equipment to good use.
• Way Forward:
  • I-STEM must monitor the impact of the initiative by obtaining feedback.
  • Steps must be put in place to increase the wider participation of women in WEST and I-STEM.

Source: PIB