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Indian Maritime University organized the Women in STEM and Maritime Conference 2024 on Friday, 1st March 2024 at the IMU's Chennai Campus, at the advent of Women's Day. The event started with the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of IMU Dr. Malini Shankar presenting the introductory remarks and setting the tone of the conference.
The Chief Guest of the event Ms. Michaela Küchler German Consul General, delivered the presidential address and touched about the need to reduce the gender disparity in STEM and Maritime. This event brought distinguished women achievers of the Maritime Sector like Capt. Radhika Menon, India's first female Merchant Navy Captain & recipient of IMO exception bravery award & co-founder of International Women Seafarers Foundation (IWSF), Ms. Suneeti Bala, India's first female Merchant Navy Chief Engineer & co-founder of International Women Seafarers Foundation (IWSF), Ms. Rupali Joshi Chief Engineer, Head of Marine Engineering, NMPA and Lt. Cdr. Beena Officer of the Indian Navy.
The panelists from STEM included distinguished women professionals like Dr. Purnima Jalihal Scientist G, NIOT, Dr. Sreejalekshmi Professor, Indian Institute of Space and Science and Technology, Dr. Manju Nair Project Director, High Thrust Electric Propulsion, LPSC, ISRO, and Ms Madhura Founder and CEO of Aspire for Her, a unique start-up. The event was attended by IMU Faculty and staff, which included Dr. Rajoo Balaji Pro Vice-Chancellor, Mr. K Saravanan Registrar, Cmde KD Joshi (retd) Controller of Examinations, Rear Adm Amit Bose (retd) Director IMU Chennai Campus, Mr. M Saravanan Finance Officer i/c amongst the others.
The conference was attended by Students, Researchers, Faculty and Staff members of IMU and provided insights into the life of women in STEM and Maritime.