Anna varsity to facilitate foreign exposure for women

With an objective to promote research and capacity building for women students in different areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), the programme’s proposed area of work will focus on Agricultural Sciences, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Cognitive Sciences, Computational Sciences and IT Engineering and Technology Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Sciences and Physical Sciences.

Mentioning that the programme has two modules, namely the women overseas student internship programme module and the women overseas fellowship programme module, the Director of Centre for International Relations at Anna university, N Rajendran, said that the programme will pave way for the next-generation women scientists and technologists here to interact with their American peers, thus helping them build long-term research. “It will also encourage, motivate and provide opportunity to outstanding women students to take up research path”, he added.

Stating the duration of both the modules under the programme to be between three and six months, Rajendran said a monthly stipend ranging from USD 2,500 to 3,000 will also be provided to the students.

According to Rajendran, the programme will be arranged by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF). He also said the governments of the United States of America (through the Department of State) and India have established the United States–India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) for the promotion of joint activities that would enable innovation and entrepreneurship through the application of science and technology.