IIT Delhi’s STEM Mentorship Program for High School Girls Concludes
IIT Delhi celebrated the successful conclusion of the third batch of its flagship initiative, the STEM Mentorship Program for High School Girls, during its Winter phase. The program is designed specifically for high school girls in Classes 9 and 11. Students from various government-aided and private schools of Delhi-NCR participated in this program.
The program was graced by Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi; esteemed alumni and alumnae of IIT Delhi from various fields; and Mr. Akshay Chhabra, Director, Technology Transformation at American Express (AMEX) – the sponsors of the program. The presence of the STEM Program’s alumnae made the day even more special and nostalgic.
Read also: JEE Main 2025 Session I Intimation City Slip Is Out
The 3rd batch students received certificates from Prof. Narayanan D. Kurur, Dean, Academics, IIT Delhi, for successfully completing the program.
During the period between the in-campus Summer and Winter phases, the students had the opportunity to attend the Sci-Tech Spins lecture series, held monthly, which were coordinated by Prof. Rahul Mishra. They also participated in a special lecture by Ms. Aisha Bowe, Founder and CEO of STEMBoard and former aerospace engineer at NASA, which piqued their interest in space science and technology and inspired them to aspire to greater heights.
The Winter phase was a five-day program involving lectures by IIT Delhi alumnae and faculty on a variety of topics, including women’s leadership roles in STEM, the role of AI in neuroscience, and algorithm design. A DIY workshop was also organized for the students to gain hands-on experience in creation with innovation.
The concluding event of the program featured a panel discussion with IIT Delhi alumni and alumnae, who shared their career journeys and insights into navigating challenges in STEM fields. Additionally, the STEM Program alumnae shared their experiences, reflecting on how the program helped them.
While sharing her STEM Mentorship Program experience, Ms. Sakshi from PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dwarka, said, “Visiting IIT Delhi was a fascinating experience. I enjoyed and made many friends and forever memories. Every teacher of this program inspired me deeply in various aspects. To be honest, I feel grateful that I got this golden opportunity to be a part of this helpful program of STEM Mentorship.”
Ms. Muskan from KV RK Puram said, “It feels very good to be a part of STEM Mentorship program where I learnt so much. Also, the experience was very good. I really enjoyed the lectures, DIY sessions and Makers Space where we learn about crystals, microrganisms, etc. and made Solar lamps.”
The program was initiated by Prof. Divya Nayar in 2021 with 10 student participants. Its successful expansion was seen with the current batch achieving the milestone of the highest-ever number of registered participants (80).
The program was coordinated this year by Prof. Divya Nayar and Prof. Rohit Vaish under the leadership of Prof. Subodh Sharma and Prof. Shilpi Sharma (former and current Associate Dean, Academic Outreach & New Initiatives, respectively) and Prof. Narayanan D. Kurur (Dean, Academics).
The program has significantly expanded since its inception, with an increase in the number of successful participants from various schools in Delhi-NCR and a wider variety of events included. The program’s impact is evident in the success of the alumnae who have now ventured into diverse career paths in science and engineering.
Read also: How Did IITs Fare In Securing Jobs During This Academic Session?
Ami Pachaury, a STEM alumna now studying at IIT Guwahati, shared her thoughts, “The program helped me see the real-world applications of what we were learning in textbooks and explore various fields. The guidance I received from the highly renowned professors/researchers during my attendance at IIT Delhi for the STEM Mentorship Program has helped me get where I am today.”
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Rohit Vaish, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, who expressed his gratitude to the vibrant cohort for their enthusiasm and energy, as well as to the dedicated team that made the program a success. He wished the best for the upcoming STEM batch, tentatively scheduled to commence in the summer of 2025.
