Latest news with #UniHawk
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Meet Dubai student who launched AI website to help unprivileged with college applications
A Year 13 student from a Dubai school has created an AI-powered platform designed to support underprivileged students through the complex and often daunting college application process. This new student-led innovation is aiming to bridge educational inequality using cutting-edge technology. Garv Lamba, who was recently accepted into the University of California, San Diego to study artificial intelligence, came up with the idea after his own challenges during the university application process. Although he had access to school counsellors and professional consultants, Garv realised that many students worldwide lack this support. Reflecting on his own experience, Garv shared, 'I felt a bit lost last year while going through the college applications. You need to research each college you are applying for, you need to gather data and improve your portfolio." Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. As a student at Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail, he had the advantage of guidance from school counsellors and an educational consultancy called UniHawk. However, Garv quickly realised that not every student has this privilege. From this realisation, Garv and his team developed a website that acts as a 'digital counsellor,' powered by AI and natural language models. The platform mimics the role of a real-life college advisor, asking students about their academic interests, personal background, and career goals. Based on this input, it generates a personalised portfolio and identifies areas where students can improve, whether through additional information or extracurricular activities. 'It gives you advise on what to do next and builds your portfolio in the background. So, it will put a spreadsheet of your interest and from that portfolio give the individual personalised guidance,' Garv explained. 'They look at you as an individual and identifies your strengths and weaknesses…that is something that AI can do pretty well which is why [we] utilise that idea.' One key feature of this platform is its ability to suggest extracurricular activities that align with a student's strengths and longterm goals, helping them stand out to competitive universities. Additionally, it offers feedback on college essays — especially helpful for applicants targeting Ivy League or other top-tier institutions. Garv also emphasised that the website offers constructive comments to guide improvements. 'It's definitely an aid to educational counsellors but the main focus is on students who don't have access to such resources. It's not a complete replacement but it's a good alternative for those who need it," said the 18-year-old. The platform was developed over the course of a year in collaboration with fellow students Ian Pannetier and Mahmoud Moursy. Among the app's innovative features is an 'Interviewer' tool that simulates college interview scenarios, and sections focused on identifying and addressing gaps in a student's academic or extracurricular profile. Currently, the upcoming app operates as a website that offers tailored advice on essays and goal-setting. However, the team envisions a much broader platform in the future. 'We want to create an entire database with college information,' Garv said, adding that this will be in addition to tools for portfolio development. Despite being in its early stages, the initiative has already received positive feedback. 'We've got good reviews from users in India, the United States, and other regions -- a testament to the global demand for accessible college guidance,' he added.
Mid East Info
25-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
UniHawk's Learning Lab blends education, exploration and experience to support career planning - Middle East Business News and Information
Students find their future through unique opportunities for professional discovery UniHawk's unique mentoring platform, A Learning Lab, is embarking on its next phase of innovative programs and pioneering initiatives to support students exploring their university and career options as the end of the academic year approaches. Through a blend of educational courses, structured personal development programs, virtual internships and immersive tours, A Learning Lab is aiming to empower students to make informed decisions about their future professional journey. Building on the success of UniHawk's study abroad counselling for students in the GCC region, A Learning Lab was established to provide a complementary suite of professional discovery and development initiatives that go beyond traditional academics. The platform adopts a progressive approach that incorporates socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization, to unlock their latent potential and guide them towards their goals. On the agenda for the forthcoming season is a new wave of the prestigious Harvard Youth Lead the Change (YLC) Conference, which started in Dubai in 2022 and will be staged for the first time in Oman and Bahrain this July. Led by students from the Ivy League college, the event develops participants' leadership, empathy, and problem-solving skills through a program of presentations, workshops, case-studies, and project-based exercises that empower students to recognize their own strengths and define their career goals. Building on the success of the Harvard YLC, A Learning Lab has curated the Harvard Business and Leadership Bootcamp, which is set to take place in Dubai in June and in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in early July. The program is designed to help students explore various career paths, build essential skills like leadership, analytical reasoning, and risk analysis, and gain hands-on experience. For aspiring technology leaders, the Cambridge Tech Lead Bootcamp will be hosted in Qatar, Jeddah and Kuwait in July, providing an interactive program that blends leadership principles with cutting-edge AI, data-driven decision-making, and agile methodologies to prepare participants for real-world challenges. Alongside the leadership development programs, A Learning Lab has pioneered a range of virtual courses, where high school students can explore specific career paths such as business consulting, medicine, law and entrepreneurship. Building on these courses, A Learning Lab also offers students the opportunity to step into the real-world practice of these professions, with seven virtual shadowing programs delivered in collaboration with leading UK businesses and organizations. The platform also enables students to go beyond their comfort zone to get first-hand global experiences through overseas tours to explore top universities, engage in community service, and immerse themselves in diverse cultures. Speaking about the value of engaging in different experiences to help with career planning, Varun Jain, Founder of UniHawk and A Learning Lab, said, 'We know from our years of counselling young people that it is never too soon for high school students to start preparing for university. The opportunity to explore different career paths through courses and work shadowing helps to empower them to identify their interests early on, so they can start to prepare their route into higher education. Through the various youth development conferences, which we have staged for the past three years, we have seen how students can build their confidence, discard any self-doubt, and develop the skills to succeed. We are delighted to be bringing these programs to new locations across the GCC this Summer, to give more students the opportunity to benefit from this transformational experience.' About A Learning Lab: A learning lab is a platform that mentors and guides students throughout their transition from high school to university. Operating across the GCC, A Learning Lab evolved from the work of the leading university admissions counselling and test preparation institute, UniHawk. Through a range of experiential learning, career discovery and skills development opportunities, A Learning Lab delivers personalized support and tailored resources to unlock students' potential and pave their pathway to success.
Khaleej Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UniHawk's Learning Lab blends education, exploration and experience to support career planning
UniHawk's unique mentoring platform, A Learning Lab, is embarking on its next phase of innovative programs and pioneering initiatives to support students exploring their university and career options as the end of the academic year approaches. Through a blend of educational courses, structured personal development programmes, virtual internships and immersive tours, A Learning Lab is aiming to empower students to make informed decisions about their future professional journey. Building on the success of UniHawk's study abroad counselling for students in the GCC region, A Learning Lab was established to provide a complementary suite of professional discovery and development initiatives that go beyond traditional academics. The platform adopts a progressive approach that incorporates socialisation, externalisation, combination, and internalisation, to unlock their latent potential and guide them towards their goals. On the agenda for the forthcoming season is a new wave of the prestigious Harvard Youth Lead the Change (YLC) Conference, which started in Dubai in 2022 and will be staged for the first time in Oman and Bahrain this July. Led by students from the Ivy League college, the event develops participants' leadership, empathy, and problem-solving skills through a program of presentations, workshops, case-studies, and project-based exercises that empower students to recognize their own strengths and define their career goals. Building on the success of the Harvard YLC, A Learning Lab has curated the Harvard Business and Leadership Bootcamp, which is set to take place in Dubai in June and in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in early July. The programme is designed to help students explore various career paths, build essential skills like leadership, analytical reasoning, and risk analysis, and gain hands-on experience. For aspiring technology leaders, the Cambridge Tech Lead Bootcamp will be hosted in Qatar, Jeddah and Kuwait in July, providing an interactive program that blends leadership principles with cutting-edge AI, data-driven decision-making, and agile methodologies to prepare participants for real-world challenges. Alongside the leadership development programs, A Learning Lab has pioneered a range of virtual courses, where high school students can explore specific career paths such as business consulting, medicine, law and entrepreneurship. Building on these courses, A Learning Lab also offers students the opportunity to step into the real-world practice of these professions, with seven virtual shadowing programmes delivered in collaboration with leading UK businesses and organisations. The platform also enables students to go beyond their comfort zone to get first-hand global experiences through overseas tours to explore top universities, engage in community service, and immerse themselves in diverse cultures. Speaking about the value of engaging in different experiences to help with career planning, Varun Jain, founder of UniHawk and A Learning Lab, said, "We know from our years of counselling young people that it is never too soon for high school students to start preparing for university. The opportunity to explore different career paths through courses and work shadowing helps to empower them to identify their interests early on, so they can start to prepare their route into higher education. Through the various youth development conferences, which we have staged for the past three years, we have seen how students can build their confidence, discard any self-doubt, and develop the skills to succeed. We are delighted to be bringing these programs to new locations across the GCC this Summer, to give more students the opportunity to benefit from this transformational experience."
