Gender Equality

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) actively advances gender equity through a two-tiered strategy combining university-led outreach and collaborative partnerships. University-led initiatives include targeted school contact campaigns in cities such as Kolkata, Ranchi, and Guwahati, where young women are introduced to STEM, computing, artificial intelligence, and data science through interactive workshops and career counseling sessions. MAHE’s participation in national and international education fairs and expos—including the Launch Pad, Startup Expo, MSAP Career Fair, and Choose France Education Tour 2024—has expanded its outreach footprint across India. During these events, MAHE’s admissions teams conduct live demonstrations, distribute women-focused program brochures, and host open discussions to promote women’s inclusion in technology and engineering disciplines.

At the collaboration level, MAHE partners with NGOs, school boards, and educational institutions to deliver joint awareness programs for aspiring women in STEM. Strategic alliances, such as with the W20/G20 platforms, amplify MAHE’s advocacy for women in higher education and policymaking. A flagship initiative—the W20-MAHE Women Vice Chancellors’ & Leaders’ Conclave (WHEEL)—brought together over 50 women leaders from academia and industry to strengthen policy networks and share strategies for promoting women’s participation across disciplines (Rashtra News Report). MAHE’s consistent visibility in gender equity earned it the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recognition in 2024 as one of India’s Top Academic Institutions Excelling in Women in STEM (Business News This Week Report). These achievements validate MAHE’s sustained investment in fostering inclusive academic environments that nurture women’s confidence and ambition in scientific fields.

As a result of these initiatives, MAHE has recorded a year-on-year increase in female applications to engineering and IT programs, particularly in Data Science and Electronics, where gender gaps had previously been significant. Through persistent outreach and multi-sector collaborations, MAHE continues to reshape perceptions, open pathways, and normalize women’s participation in technology-driven education. This approach not only advances SDG 5 (Gender Equality) but also contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by linking equity with innovation and learning. MAHE’s commitment illustrates that sustainable development in higher education must begin with equitable access to all disciplines.