India Pharma Outlook Team | Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Biocon Foundation, the CSR arm of Biocon Group, has launched BioWISE – Women in STEM Empowered – a pioneering initiative to support women science students from underrepresented communities in Karnataka. In collaboration with The Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), the program aims to foster inclusivity and build a robust scientific ecosystem.
The program will mentor 25 women from smaller colleges in Karnataka’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It offers a mix of one-on-one guidance, internships, and trips to top-notch institutes like IISc, TIGS, and JNC. Spanning six months for grad students and three months for undergrads, BioWISE also includes training to boost confidence and workplace skills for careers in life sciences. Biocon Foundation is footing the bill, with experts from Biocon Biologics mentoring and NCBS handling the academic support.
Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon Group’s Chairperson, shared her excitement, saying, “Helping women shine in STEM is a game-changer for our country’s future. BioWISE opens doors to research, learning, and opportunities for everyone.” Anupama Shetty, Biocon Foundation’s Mission Director, chimed in, “BioWISE is about creating a space where women can succeed in science and help build a better, fairer world.”
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Big names are backing the program, including R. Anantharaman, BeST’s CEO, Prof. L.S. Shashidhara from NCBS, and Karnataka’s Department of Collegiate Education officials. Dr. Sumana from DCE called BioWISE “a must-have for creating strong, future-ready research communities.”
By offering real-world experience and industry connections, BioWISE aims to pave the way for women in life sciences. It’s a bold move toward a more diverse and inclusive science scene in Karnataka, with the potential to spark similar efforts nationwide.
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