To make STEM education more applicable to girls’ everyday lives and career goals, UNESCO and the Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) conducted a two-day programme called “Jaago: Girls Leading STEM for Sustainable Futures”.
The event provided hands-on instruction in robotics, green skills and artificial intelligence, and health and well-being to 60 girls in Classes 9 and 10 from government schools. The programme, which took place at SSPU, included practical learning, mentorship, and STEM awareness.
Under the guidance of mentors, students learnt about sustainability, nutrition, and the green economy while investigating new career paths in industries including EVs, AI, logistics, marketing, and healthcare. Scholarships and support networks for STEM-related higher education were presented to the participants.
The programme supports UNESCO’s endeavours to close the gender gap in STEM education and employment. Women only make up 27% of the STEM workforce in India, although they make up 43% of STEM graduates, underscoring the need for focused interventions.
