FLO Indore, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Vandana Gujrati, hosted STEM Roundtable on Advancing Women in SGSITS in collaboration with Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science. The STEM Roundtable was based on the theme “From Education to Enterprise – A Framework for Advancing Women in STEM in India.”
The roundtable brought together academicians, entrepreneurs, innovators, industry experts, incubators, students and women professionals to discuss opportunities and challenges in advancing women’s participation and leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Addressing the gathering, Ms. Vandana Gujrati, Chairperson, FLO Indore 2026–27, emphasized the importance of building stronger ecosystems that encourage women to move from education into innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Coming from a science background herself, she shared that science nurtures analytical thinking, resilience and innovation, qualities essential for leadership and enterprise. She highlighted that women must play a larger role as creators, researchers, founders and decision-makers in India’s rapidly evolving technology-driven future.
Ms. Mamta Bakliwal, FLO National STEM Initiative head , spoke about the sharp decline in women’s representation across the STEM pipeline and stressed the need for mentorship, policy support and stronger opportunities for women in technology and leadership. She also shared that the recommendations emerging from the roundtable would contribute to a national white paper on Women in STEM.
Dr. Neetesh Purohit, Director, SGSITS, highlighted the transformative role of technology in society and emphasized that innovation becomes impactful only when it is socially relevant, financially viable and environmentally sustainable. Prof. Dr. Vandan Tiwari spoke about the importance of experiential learning, mentorship and confidence-building among young women, encouraging them to take active leadership roles in innovation and problem-solving.
The discussions focused on STEM education, workforce retention, women-led entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, career re-entry pathways and industry-academia collaboration. The event reaffirmed FLO Indore’s commitment towards creating inclusive and future-ready platforms that empower women to innovate, lead and contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story.