Latest news with #SRMUniversityDelhi-NCR
Business Standard
01-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Wheels of Change: SRMUH Students Carry Hope to the Himalayas
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 1: This week, a group of students from SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat (SRMUH) will leave their campus and begin a journey far from familiar surroundings. They are travelling from India Gate, Delhi to Ladakh. Not for adventure or escape, but to help children in some of the region's most remote villages access something many take for granted: a basic, hopeful education. The initiative is called Wheels of Change. Over eight days, the team will travel from the lands of Delhi & Haryana to the mountains of Leh, Kargil and the Nubra Valley. Along the way, they will visit anganwadis and local schools to deliver learning materials, books, warm clothes and toys to children in places where these are still considered rare. There is no fanfare around it. No slogans or banners. Just a quiet, organised effort by students who believe education should not stop where roads get rough or where attention fades. Notably, the event has already been approved by the Ladakh local administration and is being supported by the Skill Development Council, a Government of India establishment. It will witness the involvement of key stakeholders working toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) -- ensuring inclusive, equitable and accessible education for all. This isn't simply a student trip. It is a minuscule yet heartfelt gesture from the young generation to a younger generation. A journey from current youth to future youth and beyond. Remote Area, Real-Life Barriers The goal is not to make headlines. It is to make a difference, even if only in small and human ways. Many of the children the students will meet attend school without books. Some do not own a proper school bag or writing materials. Others study in rooms that lack warmth or colour, or attention. The students are bringing what they can. School bags filled with stationery, storybooks, art kits, puzzles and soft toys for younger children. Warm jumpers, socks and jackets. Things they hope will not only be used but also treasured. This is not charity, they say. It is an attempt to meet children where they are and remind them that someone has thought of them. Even if just for a few minutes. Even if from far away. Ladakh, despite its challenging terrain, is home to over 900 government schools, spread across more than 1,000 hamlets within a sprawling 60,000 area. Many of these schools sit quietly near popular tourist routes, yet are rarely visited. Perched at altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 15,000 ft, these schools typically accommodate 25 to 30 students across all grades. Most of these children are first-generation learners, and the remoteness of their villages, combined with poor connectivity, severely limits their access to quality education near home. A Small Role in a Bigger Goal The students have shaped the campaign in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4, a global call to ensure inclusive and quality education for all. In India, this goal feels especially urgent in remote and rural parts of the country. In Ladakh, schools often function without proper infrastructure. Anganwadi centres, meant to support early childhood education and nutrition, struggle with limited resources. Many are run by dedicated workers who have very little to work with. The students are not claiming they can solve these problems. But they believe they can help. A little support can sometimes keep a child engaged or give the teachers a tool they didn't have yesterday. This simple initiative -- Wheels of Change -- may just pave the way for a legacy that carries forward. In the future, the team hopes to reach out to other remote regions of India, including North East, Bihar, Rajasthan and beyond -- extending their journey, their purpose and their impact. Thoughtful Planning, Modest Intent The trip has been planned with care. Safety measures are in place. All travel and stays have been organised in advance. Students have been briefed not just on route logistics, but on cultural sensitivity and respectful interaction. Faculty members at SRMUH are offering support but have left most of the decisions to the students themselves. From identifying the needs to packing the supplies, the responsibility rests with those who are travelling. The team is also aware of the limitations of such an effort. There is no illusion that a single visit can fix deep-rooted challenges. But they believe gestures matter. Time matters. Being present matters. What This Really Is At its heart, Wheels of Change is about movement, and not just across terrain, but across assumptions. It is about students choosing to step into another part of the country, listen, offer something, and return with more than they gave. It is about actual contributions while others are waiting. Reaching out while others remain distant. It may not look like much on paper. A bag of books. A sweater. A simple toy. But for a child in the hills of Ladakh, it could be the first gift they've received from someone outside their world. And for the students, it may be the most meaningful journey they take during their time at university.
Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat Alumnus Recognised on Forbes 30 Under 30
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 22: SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat (SRMUH) continues to emerge as a formative ground for innovators in the technology and social impact sectors. Nishit Bhasin, a graduate of the 2018-2022 Computer Science and Engineering batch, specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, has been featured in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 North America list for his groundbreaking work in digital accessibility through his startup, IncSkill. Reflecting on his academic journey, Nishit describes his time at SRMUH as "chaotic, fun, and unexpectedly foundational." He was among the first batches to enrol in the IBM-collaborated AI and Data Science specialisation, a programme that was ahead of its time. "We were introduced to cutting-edge technologies when they were still emerging in the broader tech space," he said. Hands-On Experience Beyond the Classroom Among the most memorable experiences of his time at SRMUH was organising Prisma Fest, the university's flagship cultural event. "It was in its early years back then, so it was all hands on deck. I worked on everything, from logistics to photography, running across campus and local areas to make sure things were in place. That experience taught me more about accountability and execution than many formal courses could." Alongside academic learning, these extracurricular initiatives played a significant role in shaping Nishit's approach to problem-solving and leadership. Faculty Mentorship That Made a Lasting Impact Nishit attributes a large part of his academic and professional growth to the mentorship he received from the SRMUH faculty. Professors Sandhya Tarwani, Puneet Goswami, Lakshita Agarwal, and Manoj Sir were instrumental in providing both academic support and personal guidance. He recalls working on a blockchain research paper under the mentorship of Professors Lakshita Agarwal and Puneet Goswami. "We were clueless in the beginning, but they guided us patiently. That project taught me how to take a raw idea, develop it, and see it through--a process that's remarkably similar to building a startup." Manoj Madhwan Kutti Sir, Director of IR and Administration, in particular, played a crucial role in encouraging Nishit to pursue postgraduate studies and explore interdisciplinary learning paths. How SRMUH Helped Shape an Entrepreneurial Mindset What stood out to Nishit was the university's forward-thinking curriculum. "At many universities, students study traditional computer science and then self-learn AI later. SRMUH gave us that head start by embedding AI and Data Science into our core programme right from the beginning." Nishit believes this early exposure enabled him to think beyond programming and start considering real-world systems, scalability, and impact. "The freedom SRMUH offered to experiment with ideas, build projects, and learn from trial and error gave me the confidence to think like a builder." Laying the Groundwork for IncSkill Today, Nishit leads IncSkill, a startup using artificial intelligence to improve digital accessibility for people with disabilities. He credits SRMUH with giving him two things that proved invaluable: early technical expertise and a proactive mindset. "Thanks to the IBM-certified courses and specialisation track, I had already completed multiple AI projects before pursuing my master's degree. That head start helped immensely when we began building IncSkill. More importantly, SRMUH taught me how to take initiative. Whether it was organising a fest or building side projects, there was a strong culture of self-starting and learning on the go." Courses and Projects That Made a Difference The IBM-led machine learning and AI courses at SRMUH stood out as particularly influential. They combined theoretical knowledge with real-world problem solving. "These weren't just academic exercises, they challenged us to build practical applications. The blockchain research project, for instance, gave me my first deep-tech experience and taught me the value of iteration and critical thinking, skills I now use daily." Advice to Future SRMUH Innovators To current students, Nishit offers practical and forward-looking advice: "Don't limit yourself to becoming a software engineer. Be a builder. With tools like generative AI, no-code platforms, and automation agents, technical skills are only part of the equation. What really sets you apart is your ability to understand users, validate ideas, and solve real problems." He emphasises the importance of maintaining curiosity and focusing on substance over status. "Don't chase job titles or big company names for the sake of it. Instead, ask yourself: What problem am I solving? That mindset is what leads to long-term growth." Global Recognition Backed by Strong Foundations Nishit's journey from SRMUH to Forbes recognition is a symbol of what a forward-thinking academic environment can achieve. His story has been featured in several major publications, including: * Forbes 30 Under 30 Profile * University of Washington Feature - Forbes Social Impact Recognition * SiliconIndia - Indian Tech Visionary on Forbes List * Techstars Highlight - FounderFandom Recognition * TechBullion - Pioneering Digital Accessibility Innovation About SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat (SRMUH) SRMUH stands at the intersection of deep tech education and entrepreneurial thinking. With industry-aligned programmes like the IBM-collaborated AI & Data Science track, SRMUH trains students with emerging skill sets long before they become mainstream. The project-driven curriculum, research opportunities, and startup-friendly ecosystem foster real-world problem solving from day one. SRMUH doesn't just prepare students for jobs, but the university enables them to create the future. From blockchain research to AI innovation, the graduates are already building companies, filing patents, and earning global recognition. SRMUH is where ambitious thinkers transform into impactful builders, with the tools, mentorship, and mindset to lead.
