Early Times Report
DEHRADUN, July 2: UPES, a multidisciplinary university in Dehradun, extended institutional support to the Digital Catalyst Program (DCP) 2026, an initiative designed to equip young learners from rural and underserved communities with artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, digital skills, computational thinking, and social innovation capabilities. The 11-Day event was organised by Kalpavriksh Sustainable Development Society in collaboration with the UPES Department of Social Outreach at the Bidholi campus of UPES.
The program brought together 45 meritorious students from across 13 districts of Uttarakhand, many of whom come from remote hill and rural regions of the state. Through an immersive, project-based learning experience, participants gained exposure to AI literacy, responsible use of artificial intelligence, computational thinking, design thinking, communication skills, digital problem-solving and social entrepreneurship.
A key focus of the program was enabling students to identify real challenges within their own communities and develop technology-enabled solutions. Working in teams, participants explored issues relevant to their villages and local ecosystems, engage with stakeholders, and create simple AI-assisted digital prototypes aimed at addressing their community needs.
Over the course of the program, students participated in sessions covering AI safety, digital literacy, prompt engineering, computational thinking, Canva-based communication, beginner-friendly coding, social startup design, and prototype development.
Dr. Sunil Rai, Vice Chancellor, UPES, said, "Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of society and the future of work. It is therefore essential that young people, irrespective of their geographical or socio-economic background, have access to opportunities that help them develop digital confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Through our support for the Digital Catalyst Program, we are committed to empowering students from across Uttarakhand with the knowledge, tools, and exposure required to become future-ready learners, innovators, and changemakers. Such initiatives align closely with our vision of creating meaningful social impact through education and technology."
The program also introduced the students to pathways in higher education, scholarships, entrepreneurship, and emerging career opportunities. The visiting students were provided with a tour of the 'UPES-BEST Centre' a state-of-the-art upskilling hub established at the UPES campus, in partnership with Bajaj Auto Ltd., providing industry-grade infrastructure to bridge the gap between academia and the modern manufacturing sector. The Centre specifically empowers youth from tier-2/tier-3 cities and economically weaker sections with access to scholarships and world-class resources. The program aimed at building a generation of socially conscious and technologically empowered youth by combining technology education with community engagement and real-world problem solving. |
