Stephen Bhaskar Mhetre
Computer Science and Engineering Graduate,
Nutan College of Engineering and Research, Pune
“The program expanded my technical knowledge and empowered me to think about how technology can drive positive social change,” says Stephen, an aspiring AI engineer and hackathon winner.
As a third-year Computer Science and Engineering (AI) student, Stephen sought practical, hands-on experience to apply his academic knowledge toward building solutions with real-world impact. Before the hackathon, he was unsure if he had the right skills to compete. He needed more confidence and structured exposure to enterprise AI tools and cloud platforms.
Through IBM SkillsBuild courses and mentorship from Edunet Foundation, he gained practical knowledge in AI and IBM Cloud. He and his team, Cirrus Creators, then developed an accessible computer interaction system for people with hearing impairments— overcoming challenges in sign language model integration and web deployment.
Presenting the project to over 70 students, faculty, and industry experts strengthened his presentation skills and broadened his perspective on socially impactful tech. Today, Stephen is equipped with not only technical AI and cloud integration skills but also the confidence to pursue projects that matter. He aims to continue innovating in inclusive technology. “This experience taught me the value of choosing projects that truly make a difference,” he reflects.