First National Conference of Women Vice-Chancellor Thinkers on the occasion of International Women’s Day

New Delhi, (8 March 26) : The first National Conference of Women Vice-Chancellor Thinkers was successfully organized at Vigyan Bhawan on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The event envisioned “Nari” (Woman) as “Narayani” (Divine) and featured extensive discussions on various points related to women’s contributions as leaders in higher education.

The program focused on the transition from education to employment and innovation. Vice-Chancellors from various states across India were present at the event. Among them, Professor Nandini Sahu, the Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Hindi University, West Bengal, attended a special session as a Special Guest. In her address, she stated, “To prepare women as an empowered workforce for employment, universities must remove systemic barriers that hinder the continuity of jobs. Institutions should promote ‘returnship’ and re-skilling programs to boost confidence and ensure career continuity.”

In her speech, she emphasized the necessity of fostering self-reliance to transform graduates into job creators. Universities must develop ecosystems that provide access to financial education, technical literacy, and skill-based training for emerging and rapidly evolving sectors. She highlighted specific institutional support systems that universities can implement, such as blended learning, safe transportation, and on-campus childcare. She also spoke about “Shastra – Shaastra – Kala,” an educational framework that encompasses self-defense (Shastra), knowledge and intellectual development (Shaastra), and fine arts, music, and dance (Kala). How can this integrated framework be included in the curriculum at all levels of education to promote the holistic development of individuals ? Furthermore, she stressed the need to implement the E2E framework through women-led development in higher education. To achieve a “Developed India” (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, a paradigm shift is required from “women empowerment” to “women-led development,” which involves transitioning from “Mohan Shakti” (passive/enchanting power) to “Strategic Power.” Additionally, the newly announced E2E (Education to Employment and Entrepreneurship) framework by the Government of India calls for bridging the critical gap between academic education and economic participation in higher education institutions.

In conclusion, the Vice-Chancellor pointed out that despite government efforts, the dropout rate among students in higher education remains a challenge due to caregiving responsibilities, financial constraints, and systemic hurdles. Universities must address curricular gaps where current courses do not align with practical applications or job creation. The goal is to devise strategies to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for women and ensure that skill-based education reaches rural areas.