WiSE Conference Event Report

Event Details:
Date: May 26th – 30th 2025
Venue: IIT Bombay, Residential Program
Number of Attendees: 200 girls (10th graders) and 25 women (Science/Math) teachers from Rural Parts of India
Facilitators: Prof. Rajesh Zele and about 50 IIT Bombay Student volunteers
Sponsors: IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS),
IIT Bombay Institute of Eminence (IOE) Education Outreach, Website: https://wiseapp.in

In India, the fields of Science and Engineering continue to be largely male-dominated. Although gender participation is relatively balanced at the secondary (10th grade) level, the ratio becomes increasingly skewed in favor of males as students advance to higher education, particularly in rural regions. Societal expectations often compel young women to marry early and prioritize family responsibilities over academic and professional pursuits. Consequently, many opt for disciplines that offer flexibility or part-time opportunities, aligning with these responsibilities. However, such pressures frequently result in discontinuation of higher studies and the abandonment of career ambitions, thereby restricting their scope for personal development and professional advancement.

As part of the initiative by IEEE CASS and IIT Bombay, a new program titled WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering from Rural Parts of India) is being launched under the leadership of Prof. Rajesh Zele, Department of Electrical Engineering. The program is designed to engage 10th-grade girls from rural regions of India and encourage them to explore opportunities in STEM education. Through sustained mentorship, the initiative seeks to empower participants to make informed choices regarding their academic and career paths. The program also emphasizes the active participation of teachers and parents, acknowledging their pivotal role in ensuring long-term impact and success. The program has successfully completed its third edition, with WiSE being conducted in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

During the week of May 26th, 2025, 200 girls and their science and math teachers arrived at IIT Bombay from 70 schools across rural regions of Karnataka, EMRS (Eklavya Model Residential School), and Maharshatra. They had the opportunity to experience campus life at IIT by staying in Hostel 10 for the week. The schedule was packed with 9 AM to 6 PM activities designed to engage and inspire the students. Over 50 student volunteers played a key role in ensuring the smooth execution of the entire program.

Each day began with inspiring sessions by remarkable women, Winspirers, sharing their personal journeys and lessons learned along the way. Bollywood stuntwoman Geeta Tandon motivated the girls by speaking about her survival struggles and path to success in the film industry. Major Mohini Kulkarni narrated her wartime experiences in the Kashmir Valley, giving the girls perspectives about women in the Indian Armed Forces. Decorated Olympian Aparna Popat showed what it takes to get to the top of the game and stay there, while Judge Laxmi Rao gave her perspectives on complex court cases from the other side of the bench. Dr. Dhanshree Lele mesmerized the girls with the beauty of art and literature. Nutritionist Dr. Ratna Raje provided practical advice on healthy eating. Varsha Parchure inspired a spirit of service by sharing her experiences working with rural and tribal communities as a social worker. Adventurer and photographer Aabha Chaubal instilled confidence in them to pave their own path independently. Kalyani Deopujari spoke candidly about her failure-ridden path to becoming a successful researcher advancing drone technology used by the Indian Military. Psychiatrists Dr. Jahanvi Kedare and Rutaja Kedare offered deep insights into adolescent mental health and emotional well-being through touching personal stories. These Winspirers left the girls energized and excited. Their words became the wind beneath the wings of the girl’s aspirations and dreams.

In the afternoon, each girl underwent exciting hands-on BMP (Break-Make-Program) experiences using the kits developed at aiCAS Lab. They gradually went from building a simple light bulb circuit to a complex FM radio in the first two days. Next, they built various sensor and actuator circuits controlled by a simple microprocessor while introducing them to programming. In the last two days, the girls built a remote-controlled Crab Rover Robot from scratch. This involved mechanical as well as electronics engineering, creating a lot of excitement among the girls.

During Demo hours, special student projects were showcased. The girls witnessed the controlled growth of colorful bacteria to create fun patterns and illustrations. They learned about a robotic arm developed to imitate a human hand for prosthetic use. They also saw autonomous underwater vehicles in action and learned how they work.

As a token of appreciation to everyone who made the WiSE Program possible, the girls organized a felicitation ceremony on 30th May with a talent show — Thanksgiving. The girls showed off their talents — various regional dances, songs, and skits, grippingly entertaining everyone.

The director of IIT Bombay, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, shared a powerful message with the girls: If you think with your hands and act from your brain, nothing is beyond your reach. Dr. Rajiv Joshi from the IEEE Board of Governors shared profound thoughts, motivating the girls to dream big and stay curious. In his closing remarks, Prof. Rajesh Zele urged the girls to continue their education and stand on their own feet. Deep appreciation is expressed to Commissioner T. Gopalakrishna (JNV) and Ravi Lad (EMRS) for their unwavering support. This program would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the IIT Bombay volunteers, the women teachers from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools, who worked day and night behind the scenes.

To ensure the long-term success of the girls, IIT Bombay students will mentor and follow up with them via online platforms. WiSE will conduct online meetings with the students, teachers, and parents every quarter. All the technical kits used by the girls throughout the program are provided to the parent schools so that the girls can create a local impact. So far, for the 2023-2024 period, we have received the following installments: 

● First installment: ₹6,76,102.00 

● Second installment: ₹27,17,550.00 

● Third installment: ₹20,16,000.00 

The total amount received for the 2023-2024 year is ₹54,09,652 In terms of expenditure, the amount spent so far is ₹47,82,611.89 The available amount of ₹6,27,040.11 will be utilized for settling the closing bills related to the WiSE 2025 project.

The WiSE program will be held annually, expanding its reach to more schools in rural areas, aligning with the goals of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) to reduce dropout rates among Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) and promote inclusive education for all.
For more information, including video clips and session photographs, please visit https://wiseapp.in.