UK-India Vision 2035 to Strengthen STEM, Empower Women: Dr Andrew Fleming

Bhubaneswar, Feb 17 : The UK-India Vision 2035 initiative is set to play a transformative role in building a secure, sustainable, and prosperous future through enhanced cooperation in science, technology, research, and innovation, said Dr Andrew Fleming at a two-day workshop held in Bhubaneswar.

The event was organised by the British High Commission, New Delhi, in collaboration with Chevening alumni and representatives from the University of Oxford. It highlighted the critical role of women in shaping the future of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Addressing participants, Dr Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner for East and Northeast India, emphasised that deeper collaboration under the UK-India Vision 2035 framework would harness the power of innovation and research to address global challenges and create shared prosperity.

Announcing a major step towards gender inclusion in STEM, he unveiled a fully funded annual scholarship programme for women in STEM for the 2026–27 academic session. Twenty-five scholarships will be available for applicants from South Asia in partnership with five UK universities. The initiative is part of a broader programme involving 43 UK universities, collectively supporting around 500 women.

“The purpose of the programme is simple and powerful — ensure opportunity and strengthen female leadership in science and innovation,” he said.

The Bhubaneswar edition of the Chevening Alumni Project Fund (CAPF) aimed to empower young women from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across Odisha. Over 500 participants, including school and college students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs, interacted with more than 30 Oxford alumni and fellows, gaining insights into academic journeys, career pathways, and leadership experiences in STEM.

The workshop featured sessions on emerging and impactful themes such as green energy, clean technology, Artificial Intelligence, start-ups and entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, waste management, governance, and manufacturing, led by domain experts.

Notable speakers included Natalia Leigh, Head of Political and Bilateral Affairs at the British High Commission in India; Supriya Chawla, Head of Chevening Scholarships India; and Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA.

Prof. Nanda observed that the world is undergoing a transformative phase where Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword but a driving force of change. Referring to India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan, he noted that most contributors to the landmark project were women, underscoring their growing leadership in STEM fields.

Prof. Renu Sharma, Additional Dean (Student Affairs) at ITER, SOA’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology, delivered the welcome address. Other eminent speakers included Manisha Acharya, Founder and MD of WEneurs Forum; Sanjukta Badhai, Director of Unchin Foundation; Dr Kamal Gulati of AIIMS, New Delhi; Dr Sayantan Banerjee of AIIMS Kalyani; and Sandhya Guntreddy, Partner Engineering Manager at Microsoft.

Contributors from the University of Oxford, including Richard Briant, Rory Carnegie, Miranda Creswell, and Romy Briant, offered international perspectives on leadership, storytelling, and community-driven development.

Highlighting the programme’s inclusive impact, officials noted that over 60 per cent of Chevening scholarships in 2025 were awarded to scholars from non-metropolitan regions, marginalised communities, and first-generation learners, reinforcing a strong commitment to equitable access and inclusive growth in STEM.