Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur and Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Foundation (JCKIF) collaboratively hosted a two-day Scientific Workshop under the aegis of G20-Chief Science Advisers Roundtable (G20-CSAR), which witnesses intense discussion on Plan and Policy for S&T Powered Global Action on Aug-19-20. G20-CSAR is the flagship event under India’s G20 Presidency and led by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
The two day-long roundtable discussion is witnessing deliberations under the broad themes of Diversity, Gender and Social Inclusion and Opportunities in One Health for wellbeing of all; Synergizing sustainable solutions for robust one health ecosystem.
Under the theme “Diversity, Gender and Social Inclusion and Opportunities”; panel discussion on social Inclusion and Diversity, the panellists discussed the role played by the scientific advisers in shaping policy choices and how the Inclusion of Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) plays a vital role in addressing transboundary issues in formal system of knowledge and recognizing the potential of language diversity and addressing the bottlenecks in accessing scientific knowledge.
Talking about the significance of Diversity and Inclusivity in Science, Prof. Santanu Chaudhury, Director, IIT Jodhpur, said, ” As we focus on empowering women in STEM, leveraging technology as an inclusion tool, and upholding our rich value system, India stands at the forefront. Science and technology become true catalysts for inclusion. With innovations like ‘Anubhashini,’ enabling seamless spoken translation, and the ever-evolving UPI technology, we at IIT Jodhpur are shaping an inclusive world inside our campus where opportunities know no boundaries.”
Ajaa Sharma, Quest Alliance, Bengaluru during her address, said, “True inclusion goes beyond access; it delves into the realm of ‘accessibility,’ crafting meaningful pathways that empower marginalized voices within STEM. To foster genuine inclusion, we must transform mindsets, fortify systems, and create immersive learning journeys, erasing boundaries between formal and informal knowledge. Let our narratives be shaped by social inclusion, and our solutions nurtured by relatable role models, lighting the way for all.”
The workshop is being attended by 33 eminent scientists and researchers representing 20 research institutions spanning various domains. The objective of the deliberation is to create a future where access to health and scholarly scientific knowledge is not limited by geographical boundaries or economic constraints for the growth of science.
