WiSE 2025 at IIT Bombay: 200 Girls from Rural Karnataka and Maharashtra Experience Campus Life

As part of WiSE 2025 at IIT Bombay, around 200 girls from 68 rural schools in Karnataka and Maharashtra visited the campus and experienced student life firsthand by staying in Hostel 10.

WiSE 2025 at IIT Bombay

WiSE 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has been running the Women in Science and Engineering from Rural Parts of India (WiSE) program since 2023, under the leadership of Prof. Rajesh Zele. WiSE is designed to inspire class 10th girls from rural regions across India to explore opportunities in STEM. The program offers long-term mentorship, helping students make informed academic and career choices. From May 25 to 31, 2025, IIT Bombay hosted around 200 girls from 68 schools in rural Karnataka and Maharashtra. During their visit, the students experienced campus life firsthand by staying in Hostel 10.

WiSE 2025 at IIT Bombay

Over the week, the girls followed a packed 9-to-5 schedule filled with learning, exploration, and interactive activities. The program ran seamlessly, thanks to the dedication of over 70 student volunteers and the generous support of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society and IIT Bombay. Each day began with powerful sessions led by inspiring women known as Winspirers who shared their journeys and the challenges they overcame. A standout among them was Bollywood stuntwoman Geeta Tandon, who captivated the students with her story of resilience, survival, and success in the film industry.

The girls were inspired by a diverse lineup of Winspirers—from Major Mohini Kulkarni, who shared stories from the Kashmir Valley, to Olympian Aparna Popat, who spoke about the grit needed to excel. Judge Laxmi Rao offered insights from the judiciary, while Dr. Dhanshree Lele highlighted the beauty of art and literature. Dr. Ratna Raje shared practical nutrition tips, and Varsha Parchure spoke about serving rural communities. Psychiatrists Dr. Jahanvi and Rutaja Kedare opened up conversations on adolescent mental health. Together, these speakers left the girls energized, informed, and inspired.

In the afternoons, the girls engaged in hands-on Break-Make-Program (BMP) sessions using kits developed at aiCAS Lab. They progressed from building basic circuits to creating an FM radio, followed by sensor-based projects with microprocessors and programming. In the final phase, they built a remote-controlled Crab Rover Robot from scratch. To wrap up, the girls hosted a felicitation ceremony and talent show on May 30 to thank everyone who made the WiSE program possible.

Inspiring the girls, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare shared, “If you think with your hands and act from your brain, nothing is beyond your reach.” Dr. Rajiv Joshi from the IEEE Board of Governors encouraged them to dream big and stay curious. In his closing remarks, Prof. Rajesh Zele urged the girls to pursue their education and become self-reliant. Special thanks were extended to Commissioner T. Gopalakrishna (JNV) and Ravi Lad (EMRS) for their steadfast support. To ensure long-term impact, IIT Bombay students will continue mentoring the girls online, with quarterly meetings involving students, teachers, and parents. The technical kits used during the program were gifted to the girls’ schools to foster continued learning and local impact.

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