BITS Pilani Leads the Way in Gender Equity and Inclusiveness in Higher Education
New Delhi – BITS Pilani, a renowned institution known for its commitment to innovation is felicitated for the tremendous efforts put in to promote gender diversity and inclusion with multiple prestigious awards received this year. The university remains resolute in its mission to enhance the presence of women, in STEM fields while also champion the inclusion of LGBT+ individuals and spearheading efforts to establish policies within the realm of education focusing on diversity and equality.
BITS Pilani has been consistently making strides in promoting women’s engagement in STEM fields. These efforts were recognized when BITS Pilani was selected as one of the Top Academic Institutions Excelling in Women in STEM at the CII Awards for Excellence in Women in STEM 2024, held on November 19th, 2024. Prominent faculty members from BITS Pilani, including Professors S. K. Barai, P. Yogeeswari, Meenal Kowshik, Anupama Mittal, and Vishal Saxena, attended the event as ambassadors of the institute.
Additionally, BITS Pilani received recognition at the IEEI 2024 Awards, which took place in Bengaluru on October 26, 2024. Under the theme “Inclusive Policies and Practices,” BITS campuses in Hyderabad, Goa, and Pilani have received recognition for their dedication to LGBT+ inclusiveness. Representing the Institute at the ceremony were Mr. Naman Bharti, a BITS alumnus and the creator of Anchor, the campus Gender and Sexuality Cell, and Prof. Annapoorna Gopal, Dean of the Practice School.
Furthermore, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani is one of the 30 institutions selected by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, to participate in the GATI pilot. Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) is an innovative Pilot Project launched by the WISE-KIRAN division of Department of Science and Technology (DST). It ushers a novel intervention programme for promoting gender equity in science and technology. BITS Pilani has become a signatory to the GATI Charter and thereby committed to adopt its guiding principles in the institute’s policies, practices, action plans and culture for transformative change.
Speaking on the achievements, Prof Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani said, “We at BITS Pilani truly believe that diversity is the foundation on which innovation and progress are built. Such honours demonstrate significant progress in fostering an inclusive learning environment that maximizes personal empowerment for all students, regardless of gender or background.”