Overview
The Inclusive Stem Confluence 2024, a transformative two-day event, successfully concluded on 24th and 25th January 2024 in Bengaluru with impactful sessions, insightful discussions, and meaningful connections. Organized by I-Stem in collaboration with Samarthanam, and sponsored by Google, Microsoft, and Morgan Stanley, the confluence provided a crucial platform for high-potential People with Disabilities to innovate, network, and connect with inclusive corporates for meaningful careers in high-growth industries.
The event welcomed students and young professionals with disabilities from across the country, alongside corporate partners, university affiliates, and other stakeholders. Participants engaged in discussions, a career fair, mentorship sessions, workshops, training, and a hackathon, showcasing the commitment to fostering inclusion in the STEM industry.
Key highlights included impactful keynotes from Ms. Chitra Sood of Google and Mr. Sandeep Alur from Microsoft, underlining their dedication to accessibility and inclusive hiring. The introduction of 20 exceptional fellows, selected from over 225 candidates, marked a significant step in supporting People with Disabilities and changing the narrative around disability from that of charity to that of excellence, achievement and success.
Concurrent sessions addressed personal and professional branding for participants with disabilities, coupled with a disability 101 session for participants without disabilities. Panel discussions tackled the challenges of unemployment among people with disabilities and strategies for inclusive hiring and employee retention, highlighting the concerted efforts of various corporates
Day 2 featured a fireside chat on inclusive innovation and AI, a panel discussion on non-apparent disabilities, a hackathon expo, and the highly anticipated hackathon pitches. The winners were facilitated by esteemed guests and event sponsors, and included projects leveraging the latest in generative AI to solve challenging accessibility problems for people with disabilities.
The Inclusive Stem Confluence 2024 was a significant stride towards breaking barriers and fostering inclusion by identifying, supporting and providing a platform to high-potential People with Disabilities who in turn can then pave the way forward.
Sponsors
