GATI: Moving the Needle

Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) is a novel intervention the program launched by the Department of Science and Technology. The strategic intent is to nudge institutions of higher education and research towards supporting diversity, inclusion, and the full spectrum of talent for their own success and progression. GATI pilots a sustainable evidence-based self-assessment and accreditation model based on a carefully crafted Gender Equity Indicator Framework (GEIF). At the core are ten key principles that articulate a commitment towards overcoming systemic and cultural barriers to academic and professional advancement at all levels. Going beyond quantitative data and gender statistics, the focus is on unravelling challenges and opportunities; on connecting the dots to create the bigger picture. This entails understanding the gender climate and organizational culture that plays an important role in the overall performance of individuals, both male and female. GATI is catalyzing systematic analysis, review and reflection on policies, processes, procedures, practices, programmes, and plans based on intensive stakeholder feedback. Based on the insight gleaned, institutions are expected to create specific, relevant, and achievable action plans, incorporating these in their strategic vision. Thirty premiere institutions of higher education and research have been selected to undertake an 18-month GATI Charter journey that began in August 2021. Each institution has a distinctive mandate and is viewed as a self-learning organization. The talk will provide a multifaceted view on the unfolding dynamics of transformative change.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Pratibha Jolly is leading the development of the GATI self-assessment framework, resources, and guidance as the Principal Investigator of the pilot project launched by DST. She served for 14 years from 2005 to 2019 as Principal Miranda House, college for women at the University of Delhi. Under her dynamic leadership the college received All India Rank One under NIRF, a feat sustained for five years since 2017. Dr. Jolly was Chair of IUPAP (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics) Commission on Physics Education (ICPE) for six years from 2005 to 2011; and Vice President IUPAP (elected from amongst commission chairs) from 2005 to 2008. She was awarded the IUPAP-ICPE Medal 2019 for distinguished service to physics education with international impact. She was co-chair of the thematic group on education for the development of the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020. Dr. Jolly received her Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Delhi in 1980. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences India (NASI) and Institute of Physics (IoP), UK. Currently, she is with National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) as Academic Consultant.

The Colloquium is being co-hosted by the IPA gender group.