Stephen Bhaskar Mhetre
3rd Year – Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence)
Nutan College of Engineering and Research, Pune
Empowering Accessibility: My Journey to Inclusive Innovation
I’m Stephen Bhaskar Mhetre, a third-year student pursuing Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence) at Nutan College of Engineering and Research, Pune. Participating in the IBM SkillsBuild State Maharashtra Level Hackathon through Edunet Foundation has been a life-changing experience for me and my team, Cirrus Creators.
Initially, I was unsure if I possessed the right skills to take part in such a prestigious hackathon. However, the structured learning provided by IBM SkillsBuild courses—like “Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence” and “Getting Started with Enterprise Graded Artificial Intelligence”boosted my confidence and equipped me with the technical knowledge needed. The hands-on sessions led by Edunet Foundation mentors were crucial in helping us understand the IBM Cloud Platform and its various tools.
Our project, “Empowering Accessibility: A System for Enhanced Computer Interaction for People with Disabilities,” was driven by our commitment to create a socially impactful solution. We recognize that while computers are essential in today’s world, not everyone has equal access to this digital ecosystem. Our aim was to bridge this gap by developing accessible interaction solutions for differently abled individuals, particularly those with hearing impairments.
One of the toughest challenges we faced was developing the Sign Language Translation Model and integrating it into our web application. Through rigorous research, careful planning, and persistent experimentation, we overcame this hurdle and successfully built the model. This experience reinforced for us that perseverance and teamwork are vital when tackling complex problems.
On the final showcase day, presenting our project before over 70 college students, faculty members, and esteemed guests from IBM and Edunet Foundation was an unforgettable experience. The warm hospitality and encouragement we received made the entire journey even more meaningful. Beyond enhancing our technical skills, this hackathon taught us the importance of having a broad perspective on social issues, the art of effective presentation, and the value of choosing projects that truly make an impact.
As an aspiring AI engineer, the skills I gained in integrating AI services will be invaluable in my future career. IBM SkillsBuild has not only expanded my technical knowledge but also empowered me to think critically about how technology can drive positive social change. I would highly recommend this program to anyone eager to explore emerging technologies and make a real difference in the world.