Shraddha Gargatti

An electronics and communications engineer by training, Shradda is a science and technology enthusiast who loves empowering people. She calls herself an “unconventional” lifelong learner, and says she believes in achieving the impossible by being a visionary.

Shradda works as an Assistant Project Manager at Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC) established by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India. PKC aims to bring together academia, R&D institutions, and the industry of Pune and its surrounding areas to address challenging problems of the region through innovative means, using scientific knowledge and engaging highly skilled-human resources. Her current work focus involves providing opportunity for school students and teachers to access and adopt digital content related to STEM education. The purpose is to empower teachers to use digital pedagogical techniques and support students in developing an inquiry-based and collaborative learning approach. The goal is to help them build critical thinking, collaboration, technological literacy, and problem-solving skills that are in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP).

Shradda’s fulfilling career as a science & technology enthusiast began with a seemingly impossible goal of traveling to more than 100 places in her lifetime and contribute to education in a creative way. She received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to realize this goal as a science communicator with a prestigious Indo-German joint venture Science Express, a unique and innovative mobile exhibition mounted on a 16-coach, AC train, an initiative of NCSTC, Department of Science and Technology. Shradda travelled to more than 100 cities and towns across the country to promote awareness about S&T among millions of young people. Later, she managed the science outreach project, Exciting Science Group, by liaising with practicing researchers from two of India’s premier research institutes, CSIR-NCL and IISER-Pune to expose school students to the thrill of research and discovery by engaging them in inquiry-based programs aimed at conveying the excitement of science and technology. She strongly believes that every individual has immense potential to become an effective contributor to the development of a nation and the world.

Her vision towards 2030 and beyond is to empower socially disadvantaged youth to contribute effectively towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to create employment opportunities for them. On the personal front, Shradda loves traveling and meeting people from different cultures, trekking snow mountains, listening to music and reading books on life philosophy.