~ASEAN and India’s women scientists gathered at AIWSC 2026 in Phnom Penh to strengthen regional cooperation, promote women in STEM and advance inclusive science, technology and innovation.
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, July 24 (VNI): More than 135 delegates, including 90 women scientists from ASEAN member countries and India, participated in the 2nd ASEAN–India Women Scientists Conclave (AIWSC) 2026 held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from July 8 to 10. Organised under the theme “Building Inclusive STI Communities,” the conclave focused on strengthening regional cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI) while promoting greater participation and leadership of women in scientific research.
The conclave was jointly hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the ASEAN Secretariat. Supported through the ASEAN–India Science & Technology Development Fund (AISTDF), the event featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, thematic roundtables, a pitching competition and institutional visits aimed at fostering scientific collaboration and inclusive innovation ecosystems.
DST Secretary Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare highlighted the strong ASEAN–India partnership in science and innovation, emphasizing that the future of research must be inclusive and driven by women scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs. IITGN Professor Sivapriya Kirubakaran, who coordinated the Indian organising team, stressed the importance of nurturing future women researchers and building networks that translate research into societal impact across the ASEAN region.
A major highlight of the conclave was the innovation pitching competition covering food security, sustainable energy, equitable education and emerging technologies. Dr. Ratna Ghosal of Ahmedabad University won the Emerging and Trending Technologies category for her presentation on tracking free-ranging Mugger Crocodiles using UAV imagery and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Delegates also visited the Institute of Technology of Cambodia and the Royal University of Phnom Penh to explore research facilities and identify future collaboration opportunities.
At the closing ceremony, Cambodia’s Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation H.E. HEM Vanndy stressed that empowering women in STEM is essential for addressing global challenges and building resilient societies. IITGN Director Prof. Rajat Moona said the conclave demonstrated how diverse perspectives and sustained regional partnerships can strengthen scientific excellence and create long-term research collaborations across and India. VNI NEWS, ASEAN India Women Scientists Conclave, AIWSC 2026, IIT Gandhinagar, Women in STEM, Science Technology Innovation, Cambodia, ASEAN India Collaboration, ASEAN, IIT Gandhinagar Women Scientists, STEM, Science and Technology, DST India, Innovation, Research Collaboratio, VNINews, VNINews.com