BASF India, partnering with Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU) and the Indian Chemical Council (ICC), is advancing gender diversity in the chemical industry through its We-Chemie program. This initiative empowers young women pursuing chemistry by providing training and career opportunities, strengthening the talent pipeline for India’s growing sector.

We-Chemie addresses the low representation of women in the chemical industry by providing skills, training, and industry exposure. The program supports final-year BSc/MSc chemistry students, particularly from underserved communities.

Since 2023, the program has trained over 220 students, including a recent 5th cohort, focusing on practical knowledge and professional development.

At the recent certificate ceremony hosted at Somaiya Vidyavihar University in Mumbai, the fifth cohort of 48 students, hailing from diverse semi urban parts of India like Roha, Pune, Parner, Kolhapur, Solapur, Goa, Mumbai and Gujarat celebrated their completion of the program. The event not only honored their academic dedication but also showcased the impact that strategic partnerships between industry and academia can have on shaping the next generation of STEM leaders.

The latest cohort reflects the program’s growing reach and continued success in strengthening the talent pipeline for the sector. By nurturing women chemists with both scientific expertise and professional skills, We‑Chemie is helping build a more inclusive and innovation-driven workforce for the future.

Harshada Raghunath Powar, Kolhapur, a beneficiary of the program, reflected on her experience, “The We-Chemie program provided us with a valuable opportunity to connect with girls from different age groups and diverse backgrounds. It also gave us the opportunity to meet women working in the chemical industry, whose stories inspired us to overcome our doubts about working in the industry. The program had different activities planned, from ground activities to classroom sessions. Each time, we were encouraged to participate with new groups of girls, which gave us the opportunity to learn from one another, build friendships, and understand different perspectives. This interaction helped us become more patient, empathetic, and understanding, qualities that are essential for working in a corporate environment.

All the activities were planned very thoughtfully and contributed significantly to our personality development. At the beginning of the program, many girls like me had insecurities about themselves; however, by the end of the sessions, every participant had overcome these insecurities and developed greater confidence. Witnessing this transformation was a truly amazing experience.

The teachers were extremely supportive and continuously encouraged us to grow into confident, reliable, responsible, and accountable individuals. I am sincerely grateful for this wonderful opportunity and for the constant guidance and support provided by the entire We-Chemie Team."