Women pursuing Technology, Engg should increase: Prez
Kharagpur: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday expressed his concern over the intake of girls in IIT's across the country and said the number of girls pursuing engineering and technology should rise to fair and acceptable levels within the next decade.
"There is one issue that continues to puzzle and concern me. When one considers board examinations at the secondary level, girls do very well. They often outscore boys. The colleges and universities that I visit across the country, in my capacity as the President, I find that girl students tend to win more medals and awards than their male counterparts. Yet, when it comes to IITs, the intake of girl students is distressingly low," Kovind said while addressing the 64th convocation of IIT Kharagpur as the Chief Guest.
The President said the country needs to do something about these numbers. "This should be a national priority, and the IIT community must take the lead. Without meeting this challenge and providing the necessary opportunities for our girl children and our young women, the development of Indian society can never be complete. This is as critical for social equality as it is for economic growth," he maintained.
He pointed out that in 2017, about 160,000 candidates appeared for the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), out of which only 30,000 were girls. In 2017, out of 10,878 students, who got admission in the undergraduate class of the IITs, only 995 were girls.
"I have been told that 11,653 students are enrolled here at IIT Kharagpur, out of which only 1,925 are girls — a little over 16 percent," he said.
He prodded IIT Kharagpur to take lead in this respect as it has historically produced illustrious women achievers, who have contributed a great deal to nation building.
"We are fortunate that one of them, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is with us today (Friday). It is always a pleasure to meet her," Kovind said with Banerjee seated on the dais.
He further maintained that IIT Kharagpur has the largest percentage of women in leadership roles. "This must translate into more girl students as well. Your institute has created 113 supernumerary seats for girl candidates in the undergraduate programme. I have also been told about a special initiative, with support from the Infosys Foundation, to fund women researchers, who wish to attend major international conferences. These are good steps but a long road lies ahead of us," he added.
He stressed upon IIT Kharagpur becoming a hub of innovation and development for the entire state. "It must contribute to revitalise the economy of Bengal and to increase opportunities for the talented young boys and girls of the state,"
he said.
