SRINAGAR: The inaugural session of “Empower HER 2025”, a two-day seminar aimed at inspiring and equipping women in the fields of Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (STE), was today held at FVSc & AH, Shuhama campus of SKUAST-Kashmir. The event seeks to address the underrepresentation of women in these domains and provide a platform for mentorship, collaboration, and empowerment. The programme is being organized by the Division of Animal Biotechnology, featuring interactive sessions and inspiring talks by women leaders, aimed at building confidence, encouraging innovation, and fostering inclusion. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, was the Chief Guest at the inaugural function held at the Faculty Outreach Centre, FVSc & AH, while Prof. Yasmeen Syed Ashai, Director, Rinchan Center of West Himalayan Cultures at IUST, was the Guest of Honour. They were accompanied by Prof. Rihana Habib Kanth – Director Extension, SKUAST-K, Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar SKUAST-K, and Prof. Riaz A. Shah, Dean FVSc & AH on the stage.
In his inaugural address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai complimented the organizers of the programme for hosting an event dedicated to celebrating women empowerment, constituting half of the population. He appreciated the significant role played by women in diverse fields of science and technology, particularly the women working in the University with zeal and enthusiasm. Prof. Ganai highlighted the major challenges faced by women in the 21st century’s technologically driven era and expressed hope for the development of leadership qualities among the female workforce to address these emerging needs. He emphasized the importance of improving human development indices, including gender equity and inclusiveness, as essential components of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation. He further affirmed the University’s resolve to provide an ecosystem with diversified goals and equitable opportunities aligned with SKUAST-K’s commitment to enhancing Quality of Life. Prof. Ganai suggested that the organizers generate data on women working in science and leadership roles within the University and hoped that the two-day sessions would equip participants to express their views in public forums such as newspapers through articles, as well as contribute to awareness literature on existing women empowerment schemes.
In her address, Prof. Yasmeen Syed Ashai touched upon various aspects of women empowerment, with particular emphasis on government-led initiatives and the need to ensure equal opportunities. She highlighted the importance of challenging societal stereotypes and promoting inclusiveness. She placed strong focus on involving more women in STEM fields to bring fresh perspectives and diversity. Prof. Ashai also quoted notable female achievers and shared examples demonstrating the multiplier effects of women empowerment.
Prof. Rihana Habib Kanth, in her address, enlightened the audience about her journey at the University and in the field of Agriculture as a case study for women empowerment. She highlighted the major issues and challenges faced by women in science and technology as the lone female Director of Extension in the country and only the second such leader in the University. Prof. Rihana elaborated on the different dimensions of women empowerment and the growing challenges anticipated in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, and Climate Smart Farming in the coming times. She further emphasized issues related to participation, visibility, and advancement of women in science, technology, and entrepreneurship, outlining the roadmap toward achieving excellence. She reflected that the world today is changing at an extraordinary pace, with knowledge, innovation, and technology shaping the future, and stressed that women must remain aligned with these global shifts.
Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar SKUAST-K, in his brief address, stated that the gathering was a celebration of already empowered women, pointing to the large number of women in the audience who have achieved leadership roles. He highlighted the gender equality within SKUAST-Kashmir, where key positions across campuses are occupied by women in various capacities—setting a positive example for other organizations.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Riaz A. Shah, Dean FVSc & AH, who is also a founding member of the organizing Division of Animal Biotechnology. He expressed hope that the workshop would achieve its objectives with the support of all stakeholders and the well-planned sessions scheduled over the coming days. Earlier, the tone for the seminar was set with a quote by Marie Curie—“We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained”—shared by the organizing secretary, Dr. Sahar Saleem from the Division of Animal Biotechnology. She provided a brief overview of the programme and outlined the sessions planned during the workshop.