National Warta News
Related Articles
Five students selected for the Global STEM Accelerator Programme felicitated by MLA Pramod Nainwal; rural girls introduced to international mentorship, hands-on science and emerging career opportunities
Ranikhet : In a significant initiative to empower young women from rural and Himalayan regions through science and innovation, Government P.G. College, Ranikhet, organised an Orientation and Hands-on Science Workshop under “She for STEM – Uttarakhand Cohort 2.0”, a collaborative initiative of the Department of Higher Education, Government of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), and VigyanShaala International.
The programme aimed to encourage undergraduate girls to explore opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), with particular emphasis on scientific research, innovation, higher education, international mentorship and career development.
A major highlight of the event was the felicitation of five students of Government P.G. College, Ranikhet — Ritu Mehra, Jyoti, Tanisha Arya, Harshita Phartiyal and Bhawana Bisht — who were selected for the Accelerator Phase of the Kalpana: She for STEM programme. The students were honoured by Ranikhet MLA Shri Pramod Nainwal in recognition of their achievement. The selected girls also shared their experiences and encouraged fellow students topursue opportunities beyond conventional classroom learning.
Prof. Pushpesh Pande, Principal of Government P.G. College, Ranikhet, appreciated the initiative and congratulated the selected students. He emphasised that girls from rural and mountainous regions possess immense scientific potential and that access to quality mentorship, modern resources and global exposure can transform their academic and professional futures. He described the initiative as a valuable step towards bridging the opportunity gap between rural and urban students.
Dr. Bharat Pandey, District Coordinator, UCOST, Almora, and Coordinator and Faculty Mentor of She for STEM at Government P.G. College, Ranikhet, introduced the programme and highlighted its objectives, structure and long-term benefits. He explained the three-month Incubator Programme and 20-week Accelerator Programme, focusing on international mentorship, scientific projects, scholarships, internships, research exposure and higher education opportunities.
Congratulating the five selected students, Dr. Pandey remarked, “Talent is never limited by geography or resources. With the right guidance, encouragement and opportunities, daughters of the Himalayas can emerge as scientists, innovators and global leaders.” He encouraged students to develop scientific curiosity, confidence and problem solving abilities while making full use of the opportunities offered through She for STEM.
Mr. Saurabh Joshi, State Hands-on Science Coordinator, VigyanShaala International, emphasised the importance of experiential learning in developing scientific thinking. He explained that science extends beyond textbooks and involves observation, experimentation, questioning and finding solutions to real-life problems. Through engaging hands-on science activities, he demonstrated scientific concepts and motivated students to approach learning with curiosity, creativity and an innovative mindset.
Ms. Deepmala Rawal, District Coordinator, Almora, She for STEM, provided detailed information about the programme’s eligibility criteria, registration process, online learning sessions, mentorship opportunities and career guidance facilities. She highlighted that the free-of-cost initiative is particularly beneficial for girls from economically and geographically disadvantaged backgrounds. She also introduced Curie AI Bot, a digital career-guidance tool developed by VigyanShaala, and encouraged students to use it for exploring educational pathways and career opportunities in STEM.
Dr. Nidhi Sharma, Co-Coordinator and Faculty Mentor, She for STEM, Government P.G. College, Ranikhet, encouraged students to participate actively in scientific activities, research projects and higher education programmes. She emphasised that consistent effort, confidence and meaningful mentorship can enable girls from rural backgrounds to achieve excellence in science and technology.
The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from B.Sc. first- and third-semester students. Participants were introduced to mentorship opportunities involving scientists and professionals from more than ten countries, along with career planning, SWOT analysis, résumé development, scientific projects and professional skill enhancement.
The programme was successfully organised under the guidance of Principal Prof. Pushpesh Pande, with the coordination and mentoring efforts of Dr. Bharat Pandey and Dr. Nidhi Sharma.
The event concluded with a powerful message that the future of science belongs to talent, curiosity and determination, irrespective of geographical boundaries. Through initiatives such as She for STEM, Government P.G. College, Ranikhet, continues to create pathways for girls from the Himalayan region to connect with global scientific opportunities and pursue their aspirations in research, innovation and technology.
