Inauguration of IEEE Women in Engineering

MIT ADTU IEEE student branch conducted a Virtual Inaugural Program of Women in Engineering Affinity group on the auspicious occasion of International Women’s Day i.e 8th March 2021 from 11:15 am to 01:30 pm.

The objective of opening the MIT ADTU IEEE WIE affinity group is to help students to gain confidence, make a difference, meet new people, become a part of a larger community, hone their soft skills, take on a challenging experience and develop management skills.

The inaugural program was attended by 100+ students.

The program began with a welcome address by Prof.Dr. Rajneeshkaur Sachdeo, Dean Engineering, Head Dept. CSE, MITSOE. Dr. Reena Pagare, IEEE Student Branch Counsellor gave an overview of different activities carried under the MIT- ADTU IEEE Student Branch. 

Guest of honor Dr. Rajashree Jain, Secretary IEEE India council talked about opportunities for women in IEEE. She talked about how IEEE & WIE has helped her grow in her professional career as well as the network of people that she was able to connect to because of IEEE. 

Ms. Swetha Shankar, Director Engineering, Site Leader Bangalore, Red Hat, India addressed the gathering with her talk on the Women in Engineering in India context. The reality is that stereotypes remain intact. Women in engineering remain underrepresented and underpaid. Lack of confidence early in a girl’s life can alter their career plans, even if they are highly capable in STEM. Add to that lack of clubs, professional role models, hands-on experience, and difficulty of understanding what an engineer does. All of a sudden, it is much clearer why there are fewer women in engineering than men all over the world.

Chief guest Ms. Rashmi Verma, Chief Strategic Expert and Diversity & Inclusion Lead, SAP, Germany enlightened all the gathering with her valuable views on the Topic: Do you dream to work abroad? She gave an insight into the opportunities available in Germany and the workspace culture present in Germany. She also talked about her journey from India to Germany.

Prof. Dr. Kishore Ravande, Dean R&C, Principal, MIT School of Engineering addressed the audience about how women are playing an important role in every field today.

Prof. Dr. Sunita Karad, Director ICT, Dean Management MIT ADT University, threw light on her views on women empowerment and how the inauguration of such a diverse platform like IEEE WIE in her very own college makes her proud and delighted.

Dr. Reena Pagare, Faculty chair – WIE announced the student committee members of MITADT IEEE STB WIE affinity group. She congratulated all the members and gave her best regards to all. It was a great pleasure to mention that the student chair of IEEE STB of MITADT got selected as IEEE Pune Section Council Website Team member Ms.Shivani Sorte. 

Furthermore, Ms. Nikita Pokharkar, branch WIE student Chair, MITADTU briefed about the plans of the IEEE WIE ADTU Team & mentioned her sincere thanks to WIE Team and MIT ADTU.

On the occasion of International Women’s day, WIE Student Branch Affinity groups of MIT-ADT and SICSR in association with Women in Engineering Affinity group (WIE) and IEEE Pune Section organized two different events-

DETAILS OF EVENTS ORGANISED –

• ESSAY COMPETITION –

🔸The topic for the Essay competition was :

If you could influence the government to take action on one issue to improve the lives of women/girls what would it be?

🏆Prizes for the competition were :

• 1st Prize: worth Rs. 1500/-
• 2nd Prize: worth Rs.1000/-
• Two Consolation Prizes worth Rs. 500/-

The language for the essay was English/ Hindi/Marathi. The MITADT STB WIE team receives very huge responses from all over the IEEE Pune Section along with the IEEE Bombay section as well. Total 80+ registration received for the competition.

Both Men & Women participated in the event

• POSTER COMPETITION-

🔸Topics for the Poster making competition are:

1)Marvelous women of all time/women role model

2)One woman many roles

3)Women in the workplace: breaking the glass ceiling and challenges

4) Respect women: End violence against women

5) Women in Tech

🏆 Prizes for the Poster making competition were :

• 1st Prize: worth Rs.1500/-
• 2nd Prize: worth Rs.1000/-

The SICSR STB WIE team receives appreciable responses from all over the IEEE Pune Section. Both Men & Women participated in the event. Total 50+ registration received for the competition.

Results of both these events were declared on 8th March 2021 during the Inaugural Ceremony.