Kumar Breaks Gender Stereotypes In STEM Fields
Shivaashna Kumar, 22, hopes to break the gender stereotype in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields that have been in almost every community.
The fourth-year student is studying for a Bachelor of Materials Science and Engineering/ Master of Biomedical Engineering at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
She is in the country for two weeks after four years of her study. She returns on July 20.
From a very young age, her sisters and Ms Kumar have always loved to work on cars with their father from which her passion for working with machines came about.
“At the same time, I was also interested in medicine to help improve the quality of life for individuals who need medical assistance,” she said.
She says it is only possible for her to be where she is today through the guidance of God, and her elders.
Through hard work, she received the National Toppers Scholarship (Overseas Scheme).
“By being a scholar of the National Toppers Scholarship, I was able to achieve this dream and break the gender stereotypes in STEM fields that have been in almost every community,” Ms Kumar said.
Biomedical engineering integrates biology and medicine through the application of engineering theories to improve the quality of human health.
“The exposure and experience I get from this degree allows me to expand my knowledge so that I can help make patients’ lives a bit easier,” she said.
Her thesis project: The research is based on dialysis treatment, specifically fistula maturation to improve the success rate of dialysis treatment in patients.
Her inspiration to do Engineering was also from her dad, Rajnesh Kumar who also has a master’s qualification in Engineering and Business Administration.
She got her hands dirty when passing tools and working with him, this gave her inspiration and motivation that a girl could do anything they put their mind to.
She always wanted to do something unique and Biomedical Engineering- is one area where our country lacks specialists.
She wants to serve the country with this expertise and specialty in the Medical and Health Sector ensuring that all our local techniques are on par with international standards.
Her proud mother, Priya Kumar said, “My daughters are my pride, and for the entire family as well as she strived so hard and took that bold step to study Biomedical Engineering. To focus on advances in technology and medicine to develop new devices and equipment for improving human health.”
“Being the youngest in the family, she has set an example for many upcoming students.
“We thank the Government of the day for supporting all my three daughters through scholarships to pursue studies in their field of interest.”
About Ms Kumar
She comes from a family of seven which includes her parents, Rajnesh and Priya Kumar, grandparents Ram Deo and Mahima Wati, and two sisters Priyaashna Kumar and Nivaashna Kumar.
She has spent most of her life in Suva but kept moving around the country due to her father’s work commitments taking him to various locations, so she has lived in different parts of Viti Levu.
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