Initiatives for Gender Advancement and Equality in Academic and Research Institutions

News: The President has announced a few initiatives for gender advancement and equality in academic and research institutions on the National Science Day celebrations.

Facts:

About Vigyan Jyoti Scheme:

  • Nodal ministry:Ministry of Science & Technology(DST).
  • Coverage:The programme covers girl students from grade 9 to 12.
  • Aim:To create a level-playing field for the meritorious girls in high school to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM) in their higher education and become self reliant.
  • It also offers exposure for girl students coming from rural backgrounds to help understand how to plan their journey from school to college and thereafter from research to a job of their choice in the field of science.
  • It also has a financial dimension as girls will be given a modest financial incentive to cover their additional expenses like travel to camps.

About GATI:

  • GATI Stands for Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI).
  • Aim:To develop a comprehensive Charter and a framework for assessing Gender Equality in STEM.
  • It will assess the progress made by participating institutions in gender advancement based on well-defined parameters.
  • Further,an online portal will also be created to provide information on government schemes, scholarships, fellowships among others.