A public impact event titled and symposium “Gendered Journeys : The trajectories of STEM students and graduates through higher education and into employment, in multiple global south contexts” was organized by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) on 16th January 2023 at the Bengal Chamber Premises with support of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC, UK) international and multilateral grant .The “Gendered Journeys” project was Co− partnered by the University of Glasgow, University of Rwanda and the Indian Institute of Management – Calcutta.

It was a unique attempt at co−creating meaningful conversations and transformative future practices around gender, inclusion, and STEM education between diverse partners from the corporate segment (including BCC&I who are the Knowledge Partners for the “Gendered Journeys” project), academic communities and public policy makers.

The main objectives of the summit were:

• To promote the research vision of expanding gender inclusivity in the context of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related Higher Education in India, Rwanda and UK
• To create a impactful coalition of multiple stakeholders involving academic scholars, working professionals, student communities, public policy makers and those in leadership roles in Higher Education Institutions to expand sensitivity and awareness regarding gender inclusive norms and practices in the STEM fields.
• To explore both the latent challenges and advantages of furthering the participation of women and sexual minorities in STEM related education and employment.
• To facilitate a broad ranging conversation not only to create impactful gender inclusive policies and pathways in higher academic institutions associated with the STEM fields but also integrate better gender sensibilities and practices in the corporate and academic labour markets in these fields.

Some of the speakers at the event were :

• Dr. Barbara Read, University of Glasgow
• Ms. Jane Umutoni, University of Rwanda
• Prof. Manish Kumar Thakur [Indian Institute of Management − Calcutta (Public Policy and Management Group)]
• Dr Dipankar Das, Chief Scientific Officer, Department of Science, Technology and Biotechnology, Government of West Bengal
• Dr. Nandini Mukhopadhyaya, Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University
• Dr Sabnam Sengupta, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Information Technology, B P Poddar Institute of Management and Technology, Kolkata, 

Overall the event saw good participation from the STEM community.