Mridula Goel, Professor - Department of Economics & Finance, BITS Pilani Goa Campus, Founding Lead, BITS Pilani Center in Bengaluru, & Founding Lead BGIIES
Women Possess Scientific Temperament but Lack Job Opportunities
While women’s enrolment in engineering is only 32%, their representation is significantly higher in life sciences (56%) and microbiology (67%), according to the Ministry of Education (2020). This indicates that the low employment of women in STEM is not due to a lack of scientific temperament but rather limited job opportunities and socio-cultural barriers. With substantial government initiatives supporting innovation and women-led start-ups, this is an opportune time for women to transition from job seekers to job creators.
Your STEM Inspiration
I am inspired by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s journey. She started Biocon India when both words, biotechnology and start-up, were not known in the country. Despite resource challenges and the long gestation period, she succeeded in building Biocon into one of India’s leading biotech companies.
