Plaksha University unveils DS Brar Center for Girls & Women in STEM in partnership with Mphasis

By: WE staff | Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Plaksha University, a technology university reimagining higher education and research in India, launched the DS Brar Center for Girls and Women in STEM with support from Mphasis, marking a significant milestone in promoting an inclusive ecosystem for girls and women in STEM.

Despite progress in education and workforce participation, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields. In India, only 28% of engineering graduates are women, and while 40% of computer science and informatics graduates are female, only 22% of professionals in cutting-edge fields like AI are women. These disparities underscore the pressing need for initiatives like the DS Brar Center to inspire, educate, and empower girls and women to pursue STEM careers. The center aspires to bridge the gender gap in STEM by offering a robust support network of role models across government, academia, and industry. The Center is launching a 3-month GWiST (Girls and Women in STEM) Fellowship - She Innovates - for women entrepreneurs, where they will have access to accelerator boot camps, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Rudra Pratap, Vice Chancellor, Plaksha University, said, “The DS Brar Center for Girls and Women in STEM reflects Plaksha’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant ecosystem that empowers women in STEM. Today, more than women needing STEM, it is STEM that needs women—to drive innovation, tackle global challenges, and reimagine the future. At Plaksha, we are dedicated to making STEM accessible to all youth and aim to achieve 50% enrollment of women in our programs, setting a benchmark for equity and excellence in STEM education.”

Commenting upon the launch of the center, Nitin Rakesh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mphasis, remarked, “At Mphasis, we believe in driving purposeful innovation, and the DS Brar Center for Girls and Women in STEM exemplifies this ethos. By addressing systemic challenges and building synergies, this initiative empowers young women to not only thrive in STEM careers but also reshape the future of these fields. We are proud to partner with Plaksha University in creating a transformative platform that uplifts and inspires.”

The DS Brar Center builds upon the Mphasis Foundation's two-decade-long commitment to promoting the inclusion of girls and women in STEM careers. The foundation’s enduring support and Mr. DS Brar’s visionary leadership underline the center’s dedication to nurturing new ideas, empowering women, and advancing STEM education.