New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS): More needs to be done to attract women to the fields of science and technology, US Assistant Secretary of State for Scientific Affairs Kerri Ann Jones said here Thursday.

"Women are under-represented on the top level in the field of science and technology, this needs to be addressed," said Jones as the two countries came together to promote women's participation in science through a workshop here.

Cooperation in the fields of science and technology and education figures high in the growing economic and strategic ties between India and the US.

"India-US cooperation in science and technology and education is important for the strategic ties between the two countries," said US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer, who inaugurated the workshop attended by schoolgirls and students from the national capital.

"It is like Einstein’s equation E=MC2, women empowerment and science will result in development."

"We need women’s participation to meet the challenges of science. When women do better, the world does better. The same is with science," added Roemer.

The day-long workshop, which focused on women in science profession, was attended by T. Ramasami, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Bicon chairman Kiran Majumdar Shaw.

Ramasami said more girls are now availing the scholarships given by the central government.

"Under the high value scholarship for bright students taking science after 12th last year, 56 percent were girls and 65 percent were from small towns," Ramasami said.