What is WINGS?
Name: WINGS = Women INspiring Growth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
Launched by: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, supported by alumnus Bharat Desai and his wife Neerja Sethi.
From when: The scholarship will begin for the 2026‑27 academic year.
Who it helps: Female undergraduate students at IIT Bombay in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields.
What does the scholarship provide?
1. Full tuition fee support: It covers 100% of the tuition fees.
Special focus: Priority / encouragement for applicants from rural areas or from economically underprivileged backgrounds.
Why is it important / what are its intended goals?
1. To reduce financial barriers that women may face when pursuing high-cost STEM education at a premier institution.
To increase female participation in STEM at IIT Bombay, especially from rural India.
To help foster diversity, inclusivity, and broader representation in STEM fields.
To hopefully serve as a model or inspiration for similar initiatives elsewhere.
Possible benefits
More opportunity for women: Especially those from rural or underprivileged backgrounds, who might’ve been discouraged by cost.
Greater diversity in STEM: Could help reduce gender imbalance and bring in different perspectives.
Encouragement / motivation: Scholarships like this send a strong signal — that women’s STEM participation is a priority. This might also boost self-confidence and inspiration among young women.
Long‑term societal impact: Over time more female graduates in STEM can contribute to innovation, research, and economic growth.
Possible challenges / considerations
1. Selection criteria & scale: Will the scholarship cover a large number of students or just a few? How rigorous will the criteria be? If too restrictive, many who need it might be left out.
Cost & sustainability: Funding such full tuition support over many years involves large sums. Continuously sustaining that commitment will be important.
Complementary support: Tuition is one major cost, but there are other costs like living expenses, travel, study materials, etc. If those aren’t addressed, some students might still struggle.
Awareness & access: Ensuring that information about WINGS reaches target rural candidates and that they can apply. Bridging awareness gaps is crucial.
Retention & support: Once admitted, women students may still face institutional, socio‑cultural, or academic challenges. Scholarships help, but mentorship, a supportive campus environment, etc., also matter.
