Raurkela: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raurkela organised a one-day exposure visit for around 50 Class XI girl students under the Vigyan Jyoti Programme, offering them an opportunity to experience higher education, scientific research and advanced laboratory facilities.
The programme was organised on Friday in collaboration with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sundargarh, the nodal school for implementing the Vigyan Jyoti Programme in the district. NIT Raurkela, the Knowledge Partner, facilitated the visit with the aim of encouraging young girls to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The inaugural session was attended by Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Raurkela; Prof. Rohan Dhiman, Registrar, NIT Raurkela; T. K. Chattopadhyay, Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sundargarh; and Prof. Surya Narayan Dash, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Nodal Officer of the Vigyan Jyoti Programme at NIT Raurkela, besides teachers, research scholars and students.
Welcoming the participants, Prof. S. N. Dash said the Vigyan Jyoti Programme, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, seeks to motivate young girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM through exposure to leading academic and research institutions.
He encouraged the students to interact with faculty members and researchers and make full use of the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Institute’s laboratories and research ecosystem.
T. K. Chattopadhyay urged the students to make the most of their exposure to advanced laboratory facilities and interactions with academicians. He expressed hope that the visit would strengthen their interest in science and inspire them to pursue higher studies at institutions such as NIT Raurkela.
Prof. Rohan Dhiman highlighted the importance of providing students with early exposure to institutions of national importance. He said such interactions help students gain clarity about their academic aspirations and career goals while encouraging them to think beyond conventional boundaries.
Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Raurkela, in his address, encouraged the students to pursue their dreams with determination, resilience and self-belief. Citing real-life examples, he urged them to learn from failures, make independent choices and understand that success depends on perseverance and clarity of purpose rather than academic scores alone.
He also emphasised that talent and determination are not limited by gender and encouraged the students to aspire for excellence in their chosen fields.
As part of the visit, the students took a guided tour of the NIT Raurkela campus and were introduced to its academic and research environment. They also visited the Undergraduate Physics Laboratory, Chemistry Laboratory and Central Research Facility, where faculty members and researchers demonstrated scientific instruments, laboratory experiments and ongoing research activities.
The Vigyan Jyoti Programme is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, aimed at promoting gender equity in STEM education by encouraging meritorious girl students to pursue higher studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through mentorship, exposure visits and interactions with leading academic institutions.
