Number of girls in IITs distressingly-low, needs to rise: President
What's the story
President Ram Nath Kovind today said girls often outscore boys in board examinations, colleges and universities, but their number is "distressingly low" in the IITs and it has to increase.
"In 2017, of the 1,60,000 candidates who appeared for the IIT-JEE, only 30,000 were girls. Of the 10,878 students who had been admitted to undergraduate classes of IITs, only 995 were girls," Kovind added.
Girls enrollment
Only 16% girls were enrolled in IIT Kharagpur, says Kovind
Kovind, who was delivering speech at 64th Convocation of IIT Kharagpur, said, "Of the 11,653 students enrolled in IIT Kharagpur, only 1,925 are girls, a little over 16%."
The participation of women in Science and Technology "has to rise to a fair and acceptable level in the coming decade and this should be a national priority, and the IIT committee must take the lead."
Women researchers
IIT Kharagpur funding women researchers with support from Infosys
Without creating work opportunity for girls, development of the society can never be complete, Kovind said, adding this is critical for the country's economic growth too.
Kovind also talked about the initiative by IIT Kharagpur with support from Infosys Foundation to fund women researchers who wish to attend international conferences.
The institute has created 113 super-numeral seats for girl students in the undergraduate program.