Ahmedabad: Roop Lakkad, a computer engineering student from Jamnagar at Gandhinagar-based Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), is the first girl to pursue engineering in her family. “I was fascinated with science from a young age. With AI and ML, I feel empowered to resolve issues like curbing crimes and weeding out criminals from society using technology ” she says.Likewise, Jinal Gohel, her classmate in computer engineering and a native of Bhavnagar, is also a first-generation engineer who wants to pursue applications of quantum computing. “I love that technology is gender-neutral and more women training in STEM can make a massive difference,,” she says.As Feb 11 is celebrated as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by the UN, data from technical institutes across Gujarat paint a very encouraging picture. Data from the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) in Gujarat shows an encouraging trend.Between 2015-16 and 2025-26, the share of girls in overall engineering seats increased from 14% (6,067 out of 43,727 seats) to 25% (10,670 out of 42,972 seats). It effectively means that 1 out of every 4 engineering students in the state is a girl, busting the long-held belief of engineering as a male bastion.Dr Nilay Bhuptani, principal of LD College of Engineering and member secretary of ACPC, said that over the years, they saw a steady rise of girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in the state.“More significantly, women who largely embraced traditional branches such as computer, IT, and electronics and communication (E&C) are now also opting for mechanical and civil engineering courses finding traction with new applications and tech-enabled workspaces,” he said.Even in specialised institutions like PDEU, women enrolment in engineering courses was 14% at 123 students in academic year 2015-16. This year, the number peaked at 447, representing 26% of the total admissions. At IIT Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn), the absolute number of girl students saw a three-fold rise from 85 to 245 in a decade.Prof Bhaskar Datta, Dean (Academics) at IIT-Gn women are now also at the forefront of emerging fields like AI, while maintaining a consistent presence in advanced research at the PhD level. “Young women are aggressively staking their claim in high-tech frontiers such as AI, which will ultimately increase their heft in a highly skilled workforce,” he added.Prof SS Manoharan, Director General of PDEU, said they have recorded sizeable female students in emerging fields such as biotech. “When women enter engineering classrooms in greater numbers, they act as positive change agents in innovation, leadership, and social impact,” he said. The institute ntroduced merit-based scholarships for female students offering up to 50% tuition fee waiver.“In our postgraduate courses, the share of female students is 32-36%. They are opting for courses such as building energy performance, geomatics, structural engineering design, and construction engineering and management,” said Prof Aanal Shah, Dean of the Faculty of Technology at CEPT University.Experts, however, point out that the number should improve further. Several concerns for parents include lodging and boarding facilities when girls opt for higher studies, safety, and employment opportunities. Emerging fields hold promise for more inclusive workspaces, they added.
