Centre announces three new programs for WISE

Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology, on Tuesday launched a video on women empowerment, released a booklet about women in science & engineering (WISE) and announced three important programmes.

He announced three programmes of the WISE-KIRAN scheme to mark International Women's Day, the first of which, 'Industrial Research Fellowship for Women', will provide short- and long-term research opportunities for women researchers. The grant will be given only once to women scientists.

Additionally, the 'Senior Women Scientists Fellowship' programme is intended to provide dignity to senior women scientists, in the age group 45-60, who are performing well in research but are not employed regularly because of various reasons. Researchers will be awarded five-year projects, along with fellowships and other research grants, through this program for women scientists.

Under the third program of the Fellowship for Women program, women researchers and scientists will be exposed to various countries in order to upgrade their skills, Minister said. In addition to a monthly stipend, the overseas visit will include return airfare, health insurance, contingency costs, etc.

As part of this initiative, Singh released a short film entitled 'Women Empowerment Atlas of India: Science & Technology Perspective', a film on various programmes under WISE-KIRAN Scheme, and a booklet titled 'WISE-KIRAN: An overview of 75 success stories of women scientists in Intellectual Property Rights (WOS-C program) and an insight into 'Women Technology Parks (WTPs)' for rural development, according to a ministry press release.

Secretary, Science and Technology, Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Director General, Dr Shekhar Mande also spoke on the occasion, the release read.