With 47 per cent of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA)’s students being girls and women comprising 51 per cent of its workforce, the Deemed to be University has been endeavouring to provide a boost to women’s empowerment in the state, SOA Vice-President Ms. Saswati Das said on Tuesday.

Women have been proving themselves in different professions while making notable contribution to various innovations and discoveries to make their presence felt in the society, Ms. Das said while addressing a special program organised in the university to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD).

Congratulating the women serving the university, she said they had made a mark for themselves by dint of their determination and hard work.

Referring to the current year’s theme for the IWD--- ‘Digital: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’, Ms. Das said women were proving themselves in every field including digital technology.

The gathering was also addressed by SOA’s Controller of Examination Prof. Manjula Das, Dean of Institute of Dental Sciences, Prof. (Dr.) Neeta Mohanty and Head of Centre for Preservation, Propagation and Restoration of Ancient Culture and Heritage of India (PPRACHIN), SOA’s arm for preservation and restoration of ancient heritage and culture, Ms. Gayatribala Panda.

Prof. Renu Sharma, Additional Dean (Student Affairs) at the Institute of Technical Education and Research, SOA’s faculty of engineering, proposed the vote of thanks.

Eight women employees of SOA and three others serving its media wings were felicitated on the occasion.

They included Ms. Mamuni Mohanty, House Keeping Attendant, Ms. Jayanti Behera, House Keeping Assistant, Ms. Sunandini Mohapatra, Pharmacist, Ms. Pranati Behera, Assistant Nursing Superintendent,Ms. Manasi Jena, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, Ms. Subhrasima Mohanty, Junior Program Coordinator of SOA Radio 90.4, Ms. Sipra Mohanty, Executive and Ms. Monalisa Barik, Executive Trainee, Public Relations Department.

Besides, Ms. Samiksha Patnaik, Senior Reporter, News7, Ms. Pratibha Priyadarshini, Senior Content Editor, Prameya and News7 Digital and Ms. Sasmita Malla, Reporter, The Prameya were also felicitated.