Srinagar, Jun 08 (KNO): The University of Kashmir has been selected as one of the pilot institutions for participation in the Government of India’s prestigious pilot project named Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI).
According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), GATI is a Department of Science and Technology’s programme to promote gender equity in science and technology and is being undertaken in partnership with the British Council, which will facilitate collaboration between selected institutions under GATI with Athena-Scientific Women’s Academic Network (SWAN) accredited universities and research institutions in the UK. The aim is to advance the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM).
Pertinently, University of Kashmir was invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the GATI pilot project, in December 2020. Dr Rabia Hamid, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Nanotechnology at the University, is the Nodal officer for the Project.
The EoI was submitted in early January this year and a group of 30 institutions has been recommended for participation in the programme. The selected institutions include top research and higher educational institutions like IITs, IISERs ICAR institutes, several DBT, DST, DRDO and Mo&CF sponsored research institutes, AIIMS and select Central, Deemed and State/UT Universities.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad said it’s a great achievement for the university to become a part of such an important project. He said the scheme will cover the University’s main campus, satellite campuses and all affiliated/associated colleges.
Only two State/UT Universities, including University of Kashmir, have figured in the final list.
GATI pilots a sustainable self-assessment and accreditation model, based on the principles that articulate a commitment towards overcoming systemic and cultural barriers to women’s academic and professional advancement at all levels.
GATI draws inspiration from the Athena SWAN Gender Equality Charter and accreditation framework operated by Advance HE, UK since 2005 when the Charter was officially launched, with the first awards conferred in 2006. A growing number of universities, science departments and research institutes in the UK are a part of this programme and have been recognized for their accomplishments.
Recognizing the framework’s evidence-based approach to analysis, action and demonstrable impact, several countries have been inspired to join the Athena SWAN collaborative international network and launch similar initiatives. With the launch of GATI, India joins the list and the participating institutions will diligently work towards peer recognition as beacons of gender equity.
Successful completion of the pilot would provide insight for nation-wide implementation of the GATI Charter. In time, all institutions would be expected to demonstrate continuous and sustained progression towards transformative change over several cycles of accreditation.
Being a community-based project, GATI brings together a large number of stakeholders to create a peer network of participating institutions where contribution of each institution to the mission will be valuable.
The defining feature of GATI is that it will not just assess, accredit and recognize institutions through certification and awards but will also engage, mentor, partner and support institutions as they work towards reaching the global best practices of gender equality.
Participating organisations will be provided with the requisite training and support at every stage as they undertake to work towards institutional recognition and GATI Award implementation—(KNO)