Plaksha University Launches DS Brar Center for Women in STEM with Mphasis

Plaksha University, a pioneering institution in technology and research, has launched the DS Brar Center for Girls and Women in STEM in partnership with Mphasis. This initiative marks a significant step in fostering an inclusive environment for women in STEM, providing them with mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and access to innovation-driven programs.

Despite increasing participation in education and the workforce, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields. In India, only 28% of engineering graduates and 22% of professionals in AI are women. The DS Brar Center aims to bridge this gap by offering strong support networks across academia, industry, and government. One of its flagship initiatives is the GWiST (Girls and Women in STEM) Fellowship - She Innovates, a three-month accelerator program designed for aspiring women entrepreneurs. The fellowship will provide participants with boot camps, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions to help them advance in STEM careers.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Rudra Pratap, Vice Chancellor of Plaksha University, highlighted the critical need for women’s participation in STEM. He emphasized that while women benefit from STEM opportunities, the field itself needs more female innovators to drive technological advancements and solve global challenges. Plaksha aims to set an example by achieving 50% female enrollment in its programs, reinforcing its commitment to equity and excellence.

Nitin Rakesh, CEO & MD of Mphasis, underscored the company’s dedication to purposeful innovation. He noted that the DS Brar Center aligns with Mphasis’ long-standing mission of empowering women in STEM, addressing systemic challenges, and fostering synergies between academia and industry. Mphasis Foundation, with over two decades of workin promoting STEM inclusion, plays a pivotal role in supporting this initiative.

Plaksha University, founded by a global network of technology and business leaders, is committed to revolutionizing education through interdisciplinary learning. With collaborations with UC Berkeley, Purdue, UPenn, IIT Kanpur, and IISc Bangalore, the university continues to build a strong ecosystem of research, innovation, and leadership in STEM.

With the DS Brar Center, Plaksha and Mphasis aim to reshape the future of women in STEM, creating opportunities that empower, educate, and inspire the next generation of female leaders.