Vigyan Jyoti brings 200 girl students to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad for STEM exposure
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Dhanbad, August 12: Around 200 girl students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in Koderma and Dhanbad visited IIT…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Dhanbad, August 12: Around 200 girl students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in Koderma and Dhanbad visited IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on Wednesday under the Vigyan Jyoti programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), aimed at encouraging greater participation of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
A total of 191 students, including 110 from JNV Koderma and 81 from JNV Dhanbad, took part in a series of interactive and knowledge-sharing sessions at the institute.
Students Explore STEM Careers and Emerging Technologies
The visit allowed the students to interact with IIT (ISM) faculty members, learn about emerging areas of science and technology and explore career opportunities beyond conventional classroom learning.
Addressing the students, Prof. Parthasarathi Das, Dean (R&D), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity to interact with experts and gain a broader understanding of career options.
He said students could pursue diverse fields, including engineering, medicine, research, administration and humanities, and urged them to strive for excellence irrespective of their chosen career path. He also emphasised the importance of developing new skills, curiosity and adaptability amid rapid technological advancement.

‘Curiosity Drives Innovation’
Prof. M.K. Singh, Dean, Faculty, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, urged the students to approach science with confidence, curiosity and commitment.
Explaining the significance of the Vigyan Jyoti initiative, he said it represented not only physical light but also the inner energy that motivates individuals to pursue their goals.
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He encouraged the students to question themselves and their surroundings, describing curiosity as a key driver of innovation.
Prof. Singh also explained the distinction between information, knowledge and wisdom and encouraged students to combine artificial intelligence with human intelligence to address real-world challenges.
Emphasising the role of education in women’s empowerment, he urged the students not to allow financial or social challenges to come in the way of their education.
Faculty Members Highlight Innovation and Research
The programme also featured keynote sessions by Prof. S.R. Samadder, Head, Centre for Water Resource Management; Prof. Alok Das, Dean, Innovation and Corporate Relations; and Prof. Sanjeev Sahu, Associate Dean, Student’s Well-being.
Prof. Madhulika Gupta, Nodal Officer, Vigyan Jyoti Programme, DST, coordinated the programme and delivered the vote of thanks. She also facilitated student participation and coordinated various activities during the visit.
The programme concluded with an interactive session with the students, followed by lunch and a visit to i2h, giving the participants additional exposure to innovation and technology-driven activities at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.


