Women faculty/researchers in engineering from less endowed engineering/technological institutions/universities from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana were exposed to research insights, funding of research, evaluation of research grants, and related aspects at a workshop on Writing R&D Grant Proposal for Women Engineers organised November 10-11, 2022 at IIT Tirupati.
The workshop jointly organized by the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST encouraged women engineers in the country to undertake research and seek funding for their research proposals. The engineers were made aware of the role of funding agencies, type of research grants, writing research grants, contents of the proposal, formulation of proposal, ways of defending a research grant, and the implementation of research grants.
Prof Sivaji Chakravorti delivering the Inaugural Address
Prof Sivaji Chakravorti, Vice-President, INAE & Professor, Electrical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, stressed that teaching and research goes hand in hand and to bridge the heterogeneous gender gap, it is essential to encourage women engineers to undertake research, for which seeking funding is a prime factor. A book on “Research Insights” authored by Dr. Rajiv K Tayal, Formerly Scientist-G, DST, who was also the resource person for the workshop, was released during the inaugural session.
L to R: Prof Sivaji Chakrvaorti, Prof KN Satyanarayana, Dr Rajiv K Tayal
and Dr. DR Prasada Raju during the book release on “Research Insights.”
Prof Sivaji Chakravorti and Dr. DR Prasada Raju, Former Scientists at DST, delivered special lectures on Project-based learning and specific funding opportunities, respectively. Besides the technical sessions, various group activities to inculcate confidence in women engineers on writing an effective R&D grant proposal to seek funding from government agencies were also conducted over the span of the one and half-day workshop.
Group photograph of all the participants
The candidates received certificates from Prof G Ranga Janardhana, Vice Chancellor Jawaharlal Nehru National Technological University (JNTU), and Anantpur, the Chief Guest for Valedictory Session.
