IEEE STEM Activities for Rural India
- A grassroots initiative by IEEE volunteers is bringing hands-on STEM education to underserved communities in India, fostering a new generation of engineers and technologists.
- To measure progress, the team implemented an evaluation matrix based on IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board guidelines.
- The structured methodology made the project replicable and transparent, providing a framework for future STEM outreach efforts.
“Until we get equality in education, we won’t have an equal society.” Spoken by Sonia Sotomayor, associate justice of the U.S. supreme Court, the words echo sharply across regions of the world where education is not guaranteed.
In the far northeastern corner of India-where villages are located in forests, on mountains, and along riverbanks-rural classrooms often operate with limited resources and even fewer opportunities. In districts such as Dhemaji, Assam, and the rural areas of Kharagpur and West Bengal, learning STEM often is just a distant dream.
I grew up in rural areas, and I saw how curiosity for science collided with poverty. Many students’ futures rely entirely on getting good grades to determine whether they are “worthy” of studying technical subjects later.One low grade on an exam can fully derail their future. More importantly, the absence of fully equipped laboratories, trained mentors, or exposure to STEM careers prevents many children from even being able to imagine an engineering career.This is not just an educational issue. It is a matter of equity, directly aligned with U.N. Sustainable Progress goal 4, wich aims to ensure a quality education for everyone.
The challenge is one that organizations such as IEEE, with its global technical community, are positioned to address. As technology becomes more imperative for everyday life, proficiency in electronics and programming is no longer optional-it is essential.
STEM outreach programs
In December 2020 volunteers from the joint student chapter of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation-Microwave Theory and Techniques (IEEE AP-MTT) societies at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur launched a grassroots STEM outreach initiative with support from the IEEE Kharagpur Section.
I coordinated the initiative, which started when I was secretary of the student chapter. (I also was its vice chair and chair from 2020 to 2022.) Today I am a student ambassador for the IEEE MTT Society and the IEEE Young professionals cochair of the IEEE Benelux MTT-AP joint chapter.The program’s mission was simple: make hands-on electronics accessible to student
IEEE’s Outreach Program Sparks STEM Growth in Rural India
A grassroots initiative by IEEE volunteers is bringing hands-on STEM education to underserved communities in India, fostering a new generation of engineers and technologists. What started as a small project with basic electronics has blossomed into a network connecting universities, schools, and students, creating lasting impact.
To measure progress, the team implemented an evaluation matrix based on IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board guidelines. This tracked workshops, hours of instruction, tools provided, and-crucially-skills development, knowledge retention, and student engagement.
The structured methodology made the project replicable and transparent, providing a framework for future STEM outreach efforts.
New Chapters, New Beginnings
The initial success spurred the creation of new IEEE communities in India. In 2023, a student branch formed at Dibrugarh University in Assam, followed in 2024 by a IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society student branch chapter at the same university. These groups now serve as hubs for volunteer activity and long-term sustainability.
This year, the team organized TechnoFest: Udhvav 2.0, bringing together engineers, scientists, lecturers, and members of the IEEE Young professionals group with local students. For many, it was their first chance to meet and learn from innovators, providing inspiration and exposure.
A Visit to Vidhya: The Living School
In 2023, a grant from the IEEE MTT-S Ambassador program enabled IEEE volunteers to visit Vidhya: The Living School in Dhemaji. the session took place outdoors, demonstrating that effective learning can happen anywhere.
In 2024, the IEEE MTT-S SIGHT group awarded the school a US $1,000 grant for its Vidhya Shakti project, which installed solar panels to provide reliable, sustainable power.
Student ambassadors also met influential figures in Indian STEM education, including Pranjal Buragohain, founder of Vidhya school; chemical scientist Binoy Kumar Saikia, a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award; and astronomer Kishor Baruah, known for his work with visually impaired students.
Another key location was the Tai phake School near Naharkatya, where one of the first E-HuTS labs was established in 2022.
The initiative has expanded to:
- connect universities with remote schools.
- Empower underprivileged students.
- Nurture future IEEE volunteers.
- Reduce gender barriers.
- Create sustainable technical ecosystems.
- Build a culture of giving back.
What began with simple components like breadboards and LEDs is now shaping the future of engineering students across India. Over 100 students have been impacted, dozens of projects completed, and schools now have functioning electronics labs. New IEEE student branches are thriving, and previously isolated communities are joining the technological landscape.
The work continues, fueled by connection, compassion, and a commitment to providing quality STEM education to every student, regardless of location.