The British Council, alongside UK universities, has recently launched the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM programme. Targeted towards women STEM graduates willing to pursue master’s degrees in UK, this initiative aims to address the gender gap present in scientific and technological domains.
In the long run, the scarcity of women in STEM roles not only hampers diversity but also deprives these fields of invaluable perspectives. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, women constitute merely 27 per cent of India's STEM workforce despite comprising 43 per cent of STEM graduates.
Twenty-five scholarships have been reserved for women STEM scholars from India and neighbouring South Asian countries. Partnering with prestigious universities, the programme seeks to empower beneficiaries to drive research and innovation in their home countries.
Covering tuition fees, stipends, travel expenses, visas, and health coverage, the scholarships cater to various STEM disciplines including data science, computer science and engineering.
Rittika Chanda Parruck, director, Education India, British Council, added: “Almost half of the world’s population are women and represents half the potential brain power of researchers and innovators. The global challenges facing the world can only be addressed through science and research and we cannot solve these problems with one hand tied behind our backs, with only one half of the population working towards the solutions.”
“Gender equality is not just a nice idea, it is essential for the progress of mankind. Through programmes like the Women in STEM Scholarships, we aim to provide the financial assistance needed for women to pursue their education and unleash their full potential in STEM fields, thereby driving transformative change and contributing to the sustainable development goals in a more meaningful way.”
Since 2020, 52 Indian women have benefitted from the opportunity. Apart from financial support, the initiative also aims to nurture leadership skills and facilitate networking opportunities for aspiring women scientists.
With deadlines ending from March to April 2024, the programme invites applications from women with dependants as well, offering additional support. For further details on eligibility criteria and participating universities, aspiring scholars must visit the British Council's official website.