Ganderbal :: The inaugural session of “Empower HER 2025”, a two-day seminar aimed at inspiring and equipping women in the fields of Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (STE), was today held at FVSc& AH, Shuhama campus of SKUAST-Kashmir.
The event seeks to address the under-representation of women in these domains and provide a platform for mentorship, collaboration, and empowerment.
The programme is being organized by the Division of Animal Biotechnology, featuring interactive sessions and inspiring talks by women leaders, aimed at building confidence, encouraging innovation, and fostering inclusion.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, was the Chief Guest at the inaugural function, while Prof. Yasmeen Syed Ashai, Director, RinchanCenter of West Himalayan Cultures at IUST, was the Guest of Honour.
Prof. Rihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension, SKUAST-K, Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar SKUAST-K, and Prof. Riaz A. Shah, Dean FVSc& AH were also present on the occasion.
In his inaugural address, the Vice Chancellor complimented the organizers of the programme for hosting an event dedicated to celebrating women empowerment, constituting half of the population. He appreciated the significant role played by women in diverse fields of science and technology, particularly the women working in the University with zeal and enthusiasm. He highlighted the major challenges faced by women in the 21st century’s technologically driven era and expressed hope for the development of leadership qualities among the female workforce to address these emerging needs.
He emphasized the importance of improving human development indices, including gender equity and inclusiveness, as essential components of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation. He further affirmed the University’s resolve to provide an ecosystem with diversified goals and equitable opportunities aligned with SKUAST-K’s commitment to enhancing Quality of Life.
Prof. Ganai suggested that the organizers generate data on women working in science and leadership roles within the University and hoped that the two-day sessions would equip participants to express their views in public forums such as newspapers through articles, as well as contribute to awareness literature on existing women empowerment schemes.
In her address, Prof. Yasmeen Syed Ashai touched upon various aspects of women empowerment, with particular emphasis on government-led initiatives and the need to ensure equal opportunities. She highlighted the importance of challenging societal stereotypes and promoting inclusiveness. She placed strong focus on involving more women in STEM fields to bring fresh perspectives and diversity.
Prof. Rihana Habib Kanth, in her address, highlighted the major issues and challenges faced by women in science and technology. She elaborated on the different dimensions of women empowerment and the growing challenges anticipated in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, and Climate Smart Farming in the coming times. She further emphasized issues related to participation, visibility, and advancement of women in science, technology, and entrepreneurship, outlining the roadmap toward achieving excellence.
She reflected that the world today is changing at an extraordinary pace, with knowledge, innovation, and technology shaping the future, and stressed that women must remain aligned with these global shifts.
Registrar SKUAST-K, in his brief address, highlighted the gender equality within SKUAST-Kashmir, where key positions across campuses are occupied by women in various capacities, setting a positive example for other organizations.
