ICAR–Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (ICAR-IIAB), Garhkhatanga, Ranchi hosted 54 girl students of class twelve (science stream) and class ten of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Masaria Dam, Gumla and their four teachers on November 02, 2023. The exposure visit was organized by the Institute as knowledge partner under Vigyan Jyoti programme promoted by Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of India. The programme aims to bridge the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

On this occasion, the students were introduced to the changing paradigm of agricultural research and innovation nationally and globally by Dr. Vijai Pal Bhadana, Joint Director (Research). Dr. Kishore Kumar Krishnani, Joint Director (Academic) oriented the students on National Agricultural Research & Education System (NARES) under the auspices of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and revamping of agricultural education in line with the National Education Policy (NEP). 

Students visited the well-equipped molecular biology laboratories where they were briefed about the ongoing research programmes in Agricultural Biotechnology by Dr. Madan Kumar and Dr. Kishor U. Tribhuvan. The visiting students took great interest in plant tissue culture demonstrated by Dr Shambhu K Lal. The 'Omic' technologies and the concept of 'One Health' at the intersection of human, animal, microbial and plant were acquainted by Dr. Kanaka KK and Dr. Soumajit Sarkar. 

The students also visited the Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility where their operations were demonstrated by the research fellows. The teachers team of Dr. Akash Saini, Sh. Pramod Nagesia, Mrs. Josita Sarwan and Mrs. Sanyogita Hassa expressed great satisfaction on the exposure visit as the students enthusiastically interacted with the faculties and research scholars of the Institute. 

Seeing the palpable interest of the students, the school was offered possible student internship opportunities in the future. Dr. Soumen Naskar and Dr. Biplab Sarkar of ICAR-IIAB coordinated the visit and opined that such visits should be made more frequent so that more and more girl students become interested in STEM and decide to pursue a career in it.