​How Google Cloud is helping Manav Rachna students solve real-world problems

Time of India

25-06-2025

Learning that solves
Before their first job, some students are already doing what many only start years into their careers. They are mentoring global coding projects, building AI-driven apps, interning at leading tech companies, and developing solutions that work in the real world. What has changed? Education has started to look more outward.
Across India, higher education is being redefined, shaped by the vision of NEP 2020, which encourages flexibility, technology integration, and a focus on real-world outcomes. This shift is no longer just a policy directive. It's visible on campuses like Manav Rachna University (MRU), where learning has taken a practical, future-focused turn.
Here, the idea is simple: give students access to platforms that the industry already uses and let them start working on problems that matter. As part of the Digital Campus on Google Cloud (DCGC) 2.0, the university has unlocked advanced tools and training pathways that bring the world of work into the classroom. From the first semester, engineering students begin with a course on cloud fundamentals. More than just an introduction, it is a way to build comfort with tools that will later define their careers.
The learning continues with specialised programmes, such as B.Tech in Computer Science with a focus on Generative AI, and BCA in Cloud Computing. These are not typical degree courses. They include hands-on work, industry-led modules, and platforms that students are likely to encounter in their jobs or in their own ventures.
But this isn't just about the curriculum. It's about mindset. Students are no longer waiting to be told what to do. They are participating in global challenges, applying their knowledge in live settings, and getting credentials that matter in the job market. Certification programmes like Google Cloud Skill Badges and AWS Academy courses are integrated into the learning journey. These aren't just lines on a resume. They represent hours of work, problem-solving, and exposure to real-time tools.
The student community has also become more active. The Google Developer Student Club on campus is one such example. It hosts study sessions, runs workshops, and encourages participation in coding challenges. These activities give students an opportunity to apply their learning immediately, collaborate with peers, and build confidence.
Tech-powered learning
And it's working. Take Sahil Jhangar, an alumnus now working as a Software Development Engineer at Futures First. Sahil was a Google Summer of Code Contributor in 2022 and returned as a mentor in 2023. He worked on open-source projects at a global scale, applying his skills beyond the classroom and shaping solutions that reached real users.
Then there's Ashwani Soni, who completed a coveted internship in Software Engineering at Google. He wasn't chosen by chance. His foundation in cloud-first thinking and exposure to real tools helped him stand out.
Another example is Divyanshi Kaushik, a student from B.Tech Computer Science (AI and ML). She emerged as a finalist in the Google Girl Hackathon 2025, ranking among the top 76 out of more than 58,000 participants. This was not just a personal win. It reflected the strength of an academic setup that gives equal weight to innovation, problem-solving, and industry relevance.
These students are part of a wider effort to shift from content-heavy teaching to context-rich learning. Cloud-based platforms like Google Colab and FlutterFlow are now part of the innovation setup on campus. Student startups, research projects, and even classroom assignments utilise these tools. Ideas don't sit in notebooks, they are tested, tweaked, and often deployed.
This transformation isn't limited to students. Faculty members, too, are adapting and learning. This year alone, nine faculty members cleared the Google Certified Educator Level 2 qualification. Seven others passed the Trainer Skill Assessment. These numbers matter because change sticks only when educators are part of it. The training programmes also help ensure that students are taught in a way that connects theory with current tools and workplace expectations.
The university's partnership under the Digital Campus on Google Cloud programme has been central to this shift. It's not about access alone. It's about how that access is used. In classrooms, innovation labs, internships, and everyday academic delivery, this integration is already making a difference. The newly established Gemini AI Lab on campus will push this even further, giving students a dedicated space to experiment with generative AI.
Technology, on its own, doesn't transform education. What matters is how students use it to think better, create faster, and solve smarter. Manav Rachna's approach shows that with the right environment, students don't need to wait until graduation to start making an impact. They already are.
The larger lesson here is clear. When education is closely tied to what the world actually needs, students don't just prepare for it, they step into it with confidence. And that's what the future of learning looks like.