On February 13th, we came together at GEC Surat for the Gujarat Innovation Showcase, organized as part of the Edunet Foundation’s Skills4Future program. The program focuses on helping students apply green skills and AI to real-world problems, and this event was a chance to see that learning in action.

The day began with a lab walkthrough where students gave live demonstrations of tools, technologies, and EV benches to leaders from Shell. This was followed by an exhibition area with five student project booths, each set up by teams showcasing their work through live demonstrations and direct interaction with industry leaders. In the event hall, three student teams delivered project pitches, with each team getting approximately five minutes to present. The focus was on innovation, execution approach, and impact. This was followed by 2-3 minutes of Q&A per project, with the Shell leadership panel evaluating the projects using scoring sheets.

We also heard experience sharing from students and teachers about their journey in the program. Mr. Dhirendra Mishra, Terminal Manager at Shell India, delivered the keynote address. The day concluded with felicitation of participating colleges and announcement of top performing teams. Award categories included 1st and 2nd prize for project pitching, and 1st and 2nd prize for booth setup and project showcase. A total of 21 students participated, representing colleges including Parul University, SNPIT, GEC Surat, Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, and Silver Oak University. Faculty and principals from these institutions were also present and felicitated.

Thank you to the Shell leadership team—Mr. Dhirendra Mishra, Mr. Bhairu Singh Bhati, Mr. Piyushkumar Desai, and Mr. Mahendra Patel—for their time and engagement. The showcase was a platform for direct industry-student interaction, and it was encouraging to see students explain their projects with confidence and talk about the problems they are trying to solve.

Congratulations to all the students for their hard work.

During a recent volunteer session organized by the edunet foundation as part of the ACT Program, industry representatives from Freshworks sat down with students for meaningful, in-depth conversations. The goal was simple: to go beyond the curriculum and give learners a real glimpse into the professional world. The result was a series of honest, impactful exchanges that left the students with fresh perspectives on leadership, AI, and personal growth. Here’s what some of them had to say.

For Cheerla Balakrishna Sagar, the session with volunteer Shivanandan Reddy reshaped his understanding of leadership. Through real-life examples from the workplace, Sagar learned that being a leader is not about titles—it’s about empathy, understanding your team’s strengths and weaknesses, and motivating rather than demotivating. He appreciated the practical wisdom shared: how a good leader lifts the entire team, while a poor one holds them back. Sagar realized that leadership is something he can practice right now, in his daily project work, by supporting his teammates and stepping up when needed.

Rohit Rajpoot attended a session led by Ravi Sir, focused on the practical use of AI. Before this, Rohit admitted, he didn’t really know how to use tools like AI effectively. The volunteer didn’t just demonstrate features—he emphasized the right mindset: AI is a tool to enhance skill, not replace it. Rohit was especially struck by how AI could help him beyond coding. Coming from a Hindi-medium background, he began using AI tools to improve his English, learning how to frame sentences and communicate better. For him, the session turned AI from a buzzword into a personal growth tool.

Daggupati Sai Charan came away with a powerful shift in mindset. He learned the difference between being reactive and proactive. The volunteer encouraged students to stop hesitating and start taking initiative. Inspired by this, Sai Charan began applying leadership principles even though he’s not the official team lead in his group. He started thinking like a leader, taking ownership of tasks, and believing in his own ability to solve problems. The session helped him see that leadership is about mindset, not position.

These three stories reflect the true value of industry interaction. The students didn’t just receive information—they gained perspective, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. Sessions like these, powered by volunteers from Freshworks, are at the heart of the ACT Program’s mission: to prepare students not just for jobs, but for meaningful careers. We’re grateful to the volunteers who took the time to listen, share, and inspire.