Our Advisory Board brings together seasoned experts and influential leaders from the fields of education, science, and corporate strategy. Their collective insights guide our mission to foster innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in STEM education across India and beyond. Each member plays a vital role in shaping our programs and expanding our impact.
Education Innovator | Chair, Department of STEM Education and Teacher Development, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth| Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Texas, Austin
Dr. Walter Stroup is a pioneering education researcher focused on socially mediated, group-based STEM learning. With over three decades of experience, including leading state-level assessments and NSF-funded projects, his work has impacted hundreds of thousands of students. A Harvard-educated academic, he currently chairs the Department of STEM Education and Teacher Development at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and remains at the forefront of innovation in classroom learning technologies. Dr. Stroup’s work is actively advancing collaborative STEM learning through technology.
Dr. Walter Stroup’s groundbreaking innovations in generative design and cloud-based classroom learning tools have significantly shaped STEM education, influencing statewide curriculum in the U.S. His impactful contributions extend to the development of pattern-based items, methods, and assessment technologies, now utilized statewide by the Texas Education Agency with over 400,000 students in grades 3th-8th, demonstrably enhancing STEM learning outcomes. Dr. Stroup’s work creates lasting benefits for educators and learners while offering invaluable insights into pedagogical best practices, making his guidance crucial to the success of STEM initiatives.
Dean Emeritus & Professor Emeritus | UPES Dehradun
Fellow, Institute of Physics (UK) | Former Director, Amity Institute of Nanotechnology
Prof. D.K. Avasthi is a globally respected physicist known for his extensive contributions to ion beam technology, nanoscience, and radiation biology. He has served in top scientific roles, including Scientist H at IUAC, Director at Amity University, and Scientist at DRDO. Founder of the Ion Beam Society of India and Associate Editor of Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids, he brings scientific excellence and mentorship to our advisory board.
Professor Avasthi is a dedicated advocate for transforming STEM education in India. He has significantly contributed by mentoring numerous researchers and students in advanced scientific exploration, fostering crucial collaborations between academic institutions and industries. Furthermore, Professor Avasthi has played a vital role in integrating the interdisciplinary field of nanoscience into mainstream education, ensuring that students are equipped with knowledge of emerging technologies. His core mission involves the widespread promotion of research-based STEM learning methodologies within Indian educational institutions, aiming to cultivate a generation of learners who are not only knowledgeable but also skilled in inquiry and innovation. This approach seeks to create a more dynamic and impactful STEM ecosystem across the nation.
Techno-Management Strategist | Independent Director, Sembcorp Green Infra Ltd & India STEM Foundation
Maj Gen A.K. Kher (Retd.) is a highly accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience across defense, engineering, strategic planning, and corporate governance. An alumnus of CME Pune, VJTI Mumbai (Rank 1), and Osmania University, he holds advanced degrees in mechanical engineering, psychology, and management. As a former Chief Technical Advisor and Chief Maintainability Engineer for the Indian Army, he managed national-level equipment support systems and training institutes. In the corporate sector, he has served as an Independent Director for major organizations including Sembcorp Green Infra Ltd and CJ DARCL Logistics. His multi-sector expertise blends military precision with corporate strategy and technical innovation, making him a pioneer in STEM fields.
Maj Gen Kher has played a pivotal role in promoting technical education through advisory and instructional roles. At UPES Dehradun, he mentored engineering and management programs focused on infrastructure, power, and energy. He has led research and consultancy projects in areas like manpower planning, ITI modernization, and workshop design for government bodies. His deep understanding of aligning technical training with industry demands offers crucial guidance for further refining and expanding impactful STEM education initiatives.
India STEM Foundation (ISF) is a leading non-profit organization incorporated under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 with a mission to provide access to STEM education and skill development accessible to all, through state-of-the-art STEM programs, tinkering labs, infrastructure, and teachers training. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem solvers.
At the forefront of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education revolution, our journey began with a simple yet profound vision – to inspire, educate, and empower young minds, equipping them with the skills, resources and knowledge required to thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world.
Donations and grants to ISF are eligible for tax exemption under 80G of the Income Tax Act and fall directly under Schedule VII, Rule (ii), Section 135 of Company Law 2013 that covers Promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills especially among children.
We appreciate our partners’ trust, support, and encouragement in propelling us towards
our mission of making STEM education accessible to all.
India STEM Foundation is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. All sponsorships/donations made to India STEM Foundation are eligible for tax exemption under 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
As part of our mission to democratize STEM education and make it accessible to all, the India STEM Foundation is proud to facilitate an exclusive opportunity for schools to receive Free STEM Innovation Kits. This initiative to provide robotics kits for schools, underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and scientific literacy among students across India.
