BHUBANESWAR: Thirty-five girl students from different parts of the state will be counselled on career options in science and technology on the
IIT Bhubaneswar campus as part of the Centre's
Vigyan Jyoti programme that started on Monday.
They will stay on campus till June 24.
A scholarship of Rs 5,000 will be given to each participant after the completion of the programme, which is being funded by the Centre's department of science and technology, official sources said.
The institute selected 30 girl students from different parts of the state, and five from the villages adopted by it. These include, among others, Argul and Khudapur villages near the campus under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.
On the first day, Gitanjali
Batmanabane, director of
AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and R V Rajakumar, director of IITBBS, welcomed the girls and shared their experiences with them.
Batamanabane advised the students not to stop learning and encouraged them to pursue their career further.
"This initiative will not only empower the students with knowledge, but help them interact with eminent academicians across the country while pursuing a bright career in science and technology," said Rajakumar.
Prominent women scientists or faculty members, entrepreneurs and administrators from different parts of the country will also interact with the girls. They will enjoy trips to planetariums, science laboratories, research centres and places of historical interest as a part of the exposure visit.