The IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE) Student Branch Affinity Group was inaugurated under the IEEE Student Branch Chapter, Alliance University.  The event brought together distinguished guests, faculty members, and students to celebrate this milestone in promoting inclusivity, leadership, and innovation in engineering education.

Ceremony and Welcome

The ceremony began with a warm welcome by Ms. Anushka Reddy, followed by the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp and the felicitation of the invited dignitaries. The gathering was addressed by Dr. Sridhar Thota, Counsellor of the IEEE Student Branch Chapter, Alliance University, who reflected on the pioneering contributions of India’s first woman engineer, Ayyalasomayajula Lalitha, along with other notable figures such as Leelamma Koshie and P. K. Thressia. He emphasised the importance of such role models in inspiring future generations of women engineers and also introduced the guests to the audience.

Vision for Women in Engineering

Dr. Sheila Mahapatra, Associate Director – CFR, Alliance University, delivered an address on the vision of the IEEE WiE Student Branch Affinity Group. She highlighted the role of women in advancing innovation and research, noting the growing contributions of women professionals across diverse fields of science and technology. She emphasised the importance of platforms such as WiE in nurturing talent, promoting inclusivity, and encouraging women to take on leadership roles in academia and industry.

Dr. Vivek, Deputy Director, Alliance School of Advanced Computing, joined Dr. Mahapatra in felicitating the distinguished guests, further marking the university’s support for this initiative.

Addresses by the Guests

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Usha Rani K. R., Chair of IEEE WiE Bangalore Chapter and Associate Dean – PG Studies at RVCE, spoke on the empowering role of WiE. She underlined the importance of outreach to schoolgirls, particularly in rural areas, and encouraged students to strengthen their academic and professional journeys by actively engaging in research and conferences.

The Chief Guest, Mrs. Roopa M. V., Group Director at ISTRAC/ISRO and Project Director of NavIC, delivered the keynote address. She spoke about the journey of women in space science, drawing examples from NASA pioneers to Indian scientists who played key roles in missions such as Chandrayaan II and III, Mangalyaan, and Oceansat-3. She also described the dedication of Indian women scientists who balanced professional commitments with personal responsibilities while contributing to national projects. Her reflections on leadership and innovation in space science resonated deeply with the audience.

Conclusion

The inauguration of the IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE) Student Branch Affinity Group marked an important step in strengthening Alliance University’s collaboration with IEEE. The event reaffirmed the university’s commitment to empowering women in engineering and inspiring future leaders in science and technology.