- Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar ignites a national movement to spotlight women powering India’s scientific destiny
- Over 40 trailblazing women scientists converge to decode breakthroughs—from cancer therapeutics to wearable neurotechnology
- Mentorship, leadership, and bold research take centre stage in a landmark conclave shaping India’s innovation future
- Young minds join the revolution as schoolgirls witness science in action, redefining aspirations for the next generation
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR | FEB 28
In a defining moment for India’s scientific landscape, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) inaugurated the first edition of WOMEN-FORCE 2026 on February 26, launching a powerful three-day national conclave dedicated to celebrating and accelerating women’s leadership in science, technology, entrepreneurship, and policy.
Held from February 26 to 28, 2026, WOMEN-FORCE 2026 is a special edition of the Future Oriented Research Conferences and Exhibitions (FORCE) series—a pan-India initiative designed to strengthen the nation’s research culture through interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific exchange. The conclave brings together top women scientists, innovators, and research leaders from across India, creating a vibrant ecosystem of ideas, mentorship, and transformative discovery.
Where Scientific Frontiers Meet Women’s Leadership
The conference features six technical sessions and two high-impact panel discussions, with more than 40 distinguished women scientists representing diverse career stages and disciplines. From cancer therapeutics and sustainable chemistry to infectious disease response, agrochemical discovery, molecular biology, ecological resilience, and wearable neurotechnology for healthcare, the event showcases research shaping the frontiers of global science.
Setting the tone for intellectual diversity and collaboration, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IITGN, said, “WOMEN-FORCE 2026 stands out for its cross-disciplinary depth, drawing together chemists, biologists, medical researchers, environmental scientists, physicists, materials scientists, technology innovators, and musicians!”
Mentorship, Visibility, and the Architecture of Opportunity
Beyond research presentations, WOMEN-FORCE 2026 places strong emphasis on mentorship and career pathways, offering early-career researchers rare access to senior scientists, entrepreneurs, industrialists, and policymakers.
Highlighting this critical dimension, Prof Sandeep Verma of IIT Kanpur and FORCE-core group member said, “By celebrating women-led scientific inquiry, the conference is providing early-career researchers direct exposure to senior scientists, entrepreneurs, industrialists, and policymakers who actively shape India’s research and development landscape.”
Two dedicated panel discussions on mentorship and alternative career pathways aim to demystify scientific careers and empower emerging researchers.
Underscoring mentorship’s transformative role, Prof Harini Subramanian, conference convenor and Assistant Professor at IITGN, noted, “Mentorship is the backbone to scientific success. This conference is an attempt to make mentorship visible and accessible for women navigating the complexities of STEM careers.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientific Trailblazers
In a powerful outreach initiative, IITGN welcomed schoolgirls from Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar on National Science Day, offering immersive exposure to cutting-edge laboratories, research showcases, and interactions with leading scientists.
Emphasising the importance of representation, Prof Sriram Kanvah, conference convenor and Professor of Chemistry at IITGN, said, “Women leading science should never be viewed as exceptional—it must be the norm. Meaningful representation is essential to amplifying women’s leadership, visibility, and transformative scientific influence.”
Building India’s Scientific Future on Inclusive Excellence
As India accelerates ambitions in biomedical engineering, medtech, semiconductor innovation, artificial intelligence, climate science, advanced manufacturing, and quantum technologies, the participation of women scientists is emerging as a decisive force in shaping the nation’s innovation trajectory.
Reinforcing the larger vision, Prof Sivapriya Kirubakaran, Convenor and Head of the Chemistry Department at IITGN, said, “WOMEN-FORCE 2026 is a celebration of excellence and a reminder of what is possible when institutions and nations create space for all voices in science.”
As the inaugural edition concludes, WOMEN-FORCE 2026 has established itself as more than a conference—it is a catalyst for national transformation, building networks, amplifying leadership, and redefining the future of women in science.
