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Mehta, Jayshree A.

Profession: Scientist/Educator

Position: Director, SATWAC Foundation (Science and Technology for Women and Children Foundation) Ahmedabad, India

International position

Chair, Gender and Science and Technology (GASAT) International Association (1996–2001)

President, Once and Future Action Network (OFAN) (1998–2001)

Chair, International Organization for Science and Technology Education (IOSTE) (1996–1999)

Steering Committee Member of UNESCO Project 2000+, Paris

Member of the Consultative Group of FEMSA (Female Education in Mathematics and Science in Africa) run by FAWE in 12 African countries, (1998–2001)

Keynote speaker in number of international conferences

National position

Chairperson, Ladies Wing, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) (2000–2001)

Member of the Advisory Group on Curriculum Reforms

Trustee and Advisor to Entrepreneurship Development Organizations, Women’s organizations and Schools

Merit and Scholarships

1.      Awarded merit scholarship of Government of India in Secondary School Certificate Examination (1966)

2.      Recipient of American Field Service scholarship for senior year high school graduation. Tower Hill School, Wilmington, Delaware, USA (1967/68)

3.      Awarded three gold medals by Gujarat University for the top ranking at Masters level MSc (1973). The first woman in Gujarat University to receive this honor.

4.      Awarded British Council scholarship (1984) for studies in UK.

5.      Awarded Membership of the National Research Council, USA.

Educational qualifications

Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) (1967) C.N.Vidyalya, Ahmedabad, India

High school graduation (1968), Tower Hill School Wilmington Delaware, USA

BS (Distinction), St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, India, with Physics and Mathematics major (1971)

MS (Distinction) with Electronics and Radio Physics (1973) Gujarat University

Doctoral Research in Infrared Astronomy at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad (1973–76).

Certificates

Course at Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkley, USA on Science Education (1977)

Certificate course on Science, Technology and Society (STS) at the University of Bradford, UK organized by the British Council. (1984)

Course on Science Video scripting and production at Space Application Center, Ahmedabad (1986).

Research experience

1.      Research, development and innovation work on Science Education and Science Popularization (Public Understanding of Science). Published number of articles in several International Journals on Science and Technology Education.

2.      Leader of several research and development projects in Science and Mathematics Education at formal and non-formal level.

3.      Research work on Gender, Science and Technology at National, Regional and International level.

4.      Initiated and lead research project on SAS (Science And Scientists) carried out by 22 researchers in 15 countries.

5.      Coordinated research project on Sexual Maturation of School girls and Practice of Menstrual Hygiene carried out in 9 countries of Africa and Asia.

International experience

Participated in several International conferences and workshops in Europe, America, Australia and Asia. Presented papers, conducted workshops and invited to deliver keynote addresses.

1.      Chairperson of International Gender and Science and Technology Association (GASAT). Organized International GASAT 8 Conference in India in January 1996 in which 250 delegates from 44 countries participated.

2.      Chairperson of International organization of science and Tech. Ed. (IOSTE) 1996–99. Chaired Science Education group in IOSTE conference at Kiel, Germany, in 1987.

3.      Chairperson of focus group on Nonformal and Informal Science education of UNESCO project 2000+.

4.      Deputy-Chair of UN Expert Group on Education for Preparation of Platform for Action, Beijing document.

5.    President of International Organization—Once and Future Action Network (OFAN).

 

IMPROVING GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Many countries consider education of girls in science and mathematics very important. Girls/women are potential developer contributors and users of science and technology. Investment in girls’ education, particularly in science and mathematics is the key to development in any society. More than 100 million children are out of school, the majority of them are girls.

The major question of access, entry and retention of girls at primary level is a big challenge. How do we improve girls’ education in science and mathematics at formal and non-formal level? What kind of new innovative approaches to be developed? How do we deal with the situation in developing countries? What needs to be done to bridge the gender gap in science and mathematics? How do we take care of interests and background experience of girls in the classroom teaching? The paper addresses these vital issues with research, action and policy study focusing to improve the girls’ education in science and mathematics education.