The third day of the Women in Optics and Photonics in India (WOPI 2025) conference at Punjab Engineering College commenced with a plenary address titled “Rising above the shadows” by Padma Shri Dr. Vijaylakshmi Deshmane, Chairperson BoG, IIITDM Kurnool. The talk inspired delegates to transcend challenges and lead with vision in scientific endeavors. Her inspiring talk encouraged delegates to overcome challenges with resilience and lead with vision and purpose in their scientific and professional pursuits. She shared insights from her journey, emphasizing perseverance, integrity, and the transformative power of determination in advancing women’s leadership in science and technology.
A wellness workshop on “Strength & Confidence: Building Mental & Emotional Resilience” was conducted by Dr. Sunita Sharma, Associate Professor, National Institute of Nursing Education. The interactive session focused on practical techniques to enhance self-confidence, establish healthy personal boundaries, and cultivate emotional resilience as key components of professional growth and well-being.
Session V on Quantum Technology and Optical Communication featured insightful technical talks on cutting-edge research in quantum science. Dr. Joyee Ghosh from IIT Delhi spoke on “Quantum Light for Multi-User Secure Quantum Communication,” highlighting advancements in quantum information sharing and network security. Dr. Jasleen Lugani, also from IIT Delhi, presented her work on “Sensing and Integrated Quantum Photonics,” emphasizing scalable photonic integration for precision applications. The session concluded with 3-1 minute thesis presentations, two of which were recognized with awards for outstanding research contributions.
Post-lunch, a poster presentation session showcased research across ten categories, reflecting the depth and diversity of work in optics and photonics.
Panel Discussion V on “Entrepreneurship and Funding Today” brought together distinguished leaders from academia, industry, and innovation hubs. The panel featured Dr. Radhika Trikha, CEO, iHub AWaDH, IIT Ropar; Dr. Mamta Juneja, Professor, UIET, Panjab University; Dr. Ruchi Singla, Director & CEO, RAS Intellect Solutions, India; Dr. Pooja Devi, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIO Chandigarh; and Dr. Mamta Bhardwaj, Chief Operating Officer, STPI CoE Neuron. The session was moderated by Dr. Alpana Bhagatji, Scientist-E, TBRL DRDO, and Dr. Vasundhara Singh, PEC Chandigarh. The discussion offered valuable insights into startup ecosystems, funding opportunities, and entrepreneurial challenges in the deep-tech and photonics domains, encouraging women scientists and engineers to translate innovative research into viable enterprises.
The conference concluded with a valedictory ceremony and prize distribution, marking the successful culmination of WOPI 2025. Ten Best Poster Awards were presented across various categories, recognizing exceptional research contributions by participants. Winners in each category were felicitated with a memento, an e-voucher from Springer, and a cash prize sponsored by Keysight Fiber Optic Services, acknowledging their innovation, scientific merit, and presentation excellence.
Dr. Jyoti Kedia and Dr. Divya Dhawan appreciated all speakers, participants, sponsors, and volunteers for their invaluable contributions. The ceremony reflected the collective spirit of collaboration and empowerment that defined the three-day event, reinforcing WOPI’s mission to advance women’s leadership and innovation in optics and photonics.
