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Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Young changemaker leads tech revolution in India and Africa through 'Digital Dream Labs'
Year 12 student and a 17-year-old entrepreneur at Jumeirah College eyes UAE expansion In an inspiring tale of youth leadership, global citizenship, and the power of technology, Sarvesh Chandirani, a 17-year-old student at Jumeirah College, Dubai, has brought digital learning to the doorsteps of underprivileged students in India. His initiative, Digital Dream Labs, launched in January 2024 in partnership with the KCS Foundation India, is transforming the educational landscape in Bihar. Sarvesh was inspired by his work with the Mahatma Gandhi School in Pune in July of 2023, where he collaborated with corporates and donated 15 redundant computer systems. This school focuses on empowering over 350 children of prisoners, daily wagers, domestic workers, single mothers and orphans residing in the slums in and around Pune by providing them with free English education. With this passion for computer science and a vision to create equal learning opportunities, Sarvesh mobilised funds from various sources in India to set up a state-of-the-art computer laboratory with 20 systems in a government school. His aim? To equip students from underserved backgrounds with digital literacy and coding skills - foundational tools for the future. The curriculum used in Digital Dream Labs is powered by MIT RAISE, engaging students from Grade 2 to Grade 12 with age-appropriate content in artificial intelligence, programming, and computational thinking. Sarvesh conducts live virtual training sessions weekly with the teachers and students, ensuring quality and continued progress. Trained teachers deliver these lessons to the students. "When I realised that so many bright young minds in India had never even seen a computer, I knew I had to do something. Watching them write their first lines of code - that's my reward," says Sarvesh. His commitment goes beyond virtual mentorship. On October 16, 2024, he travelled to Bihar, and spent three days interacting with the students and teachers. He conducted classes with different year groups, monitored progress, and collected feedback to refine the programme. His presence generated immense enthusiasm among the students. One such student, Ragini Kumari, an 8th grader, shared, "Before this lab, I didn't know what a computer was. Now I can type, draw, and even start learning coding. Using these skills, I hope to become a keen computer scientist in the future." The impact has been extraordinary. In just over a year, more than 2,000 students have received digital training through the lab. Teachers have also undergone regular upskilling to ensure the sustainability of the programme. The success of the initiative has inspired Sarvesh to scale further. He is currently in the process of raising more funds to launch additional labs in other schools across Africa and India, with the goal of creating a network of tech-empowered learning centres for underprivileged rural settlements. Sarvesh hopes to create wider outreach through his programmes by fostering a more personal connection between teacher and student while training young, enthusiastic students into AI leaders, Digital Dream Labs is not just about coding or computer usage - it's about unlocking confidence, aspirations, and opportunities for students who've been left behind in the digital age. His efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Sarvesh was recently honoured with the Youth Empowerment and Service Award by the Consulate General of India in Dubai, in recognition of his outreach and digital literacy work in India. Within his school community, he was also appointed to lead the cultural committee in the upcoming academic year, responsible for organising key events such as International Day and Chinese New Year, while promoting inclusivity through interactive activities. Outside the classroom, Sarvesh is an avid aviation enthusiast, aspiring to pursue a degree in engineering. He spends his free time immersed in super curricular research and flight simulation, using real-life training scenarios to expand his knowledge of the field. From coding classrooms to leadership positions, Sarvesh has proved that age is no barrier to making an impact. With a laptop, a vision, and a deep sense of responsibility, he's not just teaching students to code - he is also cultivating responsible AI users.
India Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
17-year-old from Dubai brings digital skills to over 2,700 students in rural Bihar
Can you imagine a 17-year-old not only dreaming of change but actually building something real from the ground up? That's what Kavin Khanna did. Determined to empower students in Bihar's remote areas, where children often have access to the internet but rarely the guidance to use it meaningfully, he created a space where learning digital skills could open doors to new a student of social entrepreneurship at Jumeirah College in Dubai, launched the SkillLeap Project in September 2023 from Kaina village in Bihar's Samastipur partnership with the KCS Foundation, a community-focused non-profit registered under NITI Aayog (DARPAN), the initiative has since reached more than 2,700 students, many from government and low-income private schools, providing them with essential training in digital skills and financial literacy. Backed by $10,000 (Rs 8.35 lakh approximately) in international donations, a digital lab with 20 advanced computer systems was set up. Three full-time local instructors were hired to deliver a curriculum designed entirely by Kavin himself. It covered everything from basic computing and internet safety to AI and coding.'I designed the entire SkillLeap curriculum to make digital learning simple and accessible,' Kavin told 'The planning was mine, but the execution came to life with full support from the KCS Foundation. We built something that could actually transform lives,' he learning space was thoughtfully equipped with projectors, printers, webcams, and ergonomic furniture to create an engaging, student-friendly syllabus was layered to suit different age groups, starting from basic computing, internet use, and Microsoft Office tools to programming in Python, HTML, and students could even explore artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and advanced levels of curriculum also extended into digital marketing, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship for students who were interested in these areas. According to the curriculum accessed by students were also exposed to practical skills in budgeting, planning, fundraising, and content mentorship from industry experts and quarterly assessments, students were encouraged to build real tech-enabled ventures, from e-commerce platforms to educational while living in Dubai, Kavin remained closely involved. He conducted weekly online sessions and, in April, visited the Samastipur centre for the first time to meet the students face-to-face. This photograph was taken during Kavin's visit to the centre in Samastipur in April. (Source: Special Arrngement) 'Many of the kids didn't even know what financial literacy meant,' he said, adding, 'During my visit, it was heartening to see them not only using the systems but actually becoming curious about how tech could improve their lives.'advertisementCurrently, 390 students are actively enrolled; 153 girls and 237 boys, coming from nearby schools and communities. Classes are grouped by age, from grade 3 up to college-level learners, with topics gradually introduced based on student interest and keeps him going? Kavin says it's the joy of seeing real impact. 'You don't need a lot of money to be a changemaker,' he said. 'What you need is a vision, commitment, and the courage to start.'Looking ahead, he hopes to take SkillLeap beyond Bihar. 'We're in the digital age of AI. These children deserve the same opportunity to learn modern skills,' he said, adding, 'We're aiming to partner with more organizations and seek government support to expand this initiative across India, and eventually, globally.'Suman Jha, Secretary of the KCS Foundation, said the collaboration has done more than just provide infrastructure. 'In rural Bihar, children lack both access and exposure,' he said. 'This project is giving them not just tools, but a vision.' He added that new SkillLeap centres have also opened in Baheri (Darbhanga) and training batch includes 40 students, with two students sharing a computer. Once a module is completed, they receive certificates. Teachers guide them through video tutorials, followed by hands-on practice in the lab. Kavin's photo with the students of Kaina centre in Samastipur district. And the real transformation? It's visible in the students a Class 6 student, said he had never used a computer before. 'Now I can create simple games using block coding,' he said, smiling. 'Earlier, I only watched videos online; now I use the internet to learn,' he in Class 9, said the program gave him a head start that his regular school couldn't. 'All my academics were book-based. I wanted more. Now I'm building HTML web pages and learning how AI can support my studies. It's opened a whole new world for me,' he told added, 'I use AI now to explore my interests and find resources. At first, we learned how computers work, then what they can do. Right now, I'm learning the basics of programming.'advertisementThen there's Sanchi, a Class 5 student who dreams of becoming an artist. 'Earlier, I just used YouTube,' she said, adding, 'Now I journal and explore creativity using notes. I come here with 14 other girls, it's the best part of my day.'Perhaps Kavin Khanna's story is a reminder that age is no barrier when purpose leads the way. With vision and empathy, even the widest digital divides can be Reel
