Empowering Youth through a Workshop on 21st Century Skills
As our world continues to evolve, it’s crucial to keep pace with the ongoing transformation. To address this need, The Gandhi Fellowship in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Tamil Nadu organized a workshop for final-year students from various departments and virtually welcomed students from the Regional Campus, Chandigarh.
Dr. Rambabu Botcha, Placement Officer and Faculty Member of the Department of Social Work, set the stage by highlighting the value this workshop would bring to students. He emphasized the importance of staying relevant by embracing change and the necessity of collaboration between institutions and organizations to nurture students as assets to the nation.
Distinguished guests, Dr. Sharmistha Bhattacharjee, Dean of Academics, and Dr. P. Thiyagarajan, Placement Officer of the Science Division, further elaborated on the significance of diverse opportunities like the Gandhi Fellowship. They shed light on how this fellowship provides students with insights into the administration and functioning of the nation, along with a myriad of other skills developed through hands-on experience.
The workshop kicked off with an engaging icebreaker activity, reinvigorating our enthusiastic group of young participants. We initiated a discussion on the concept of “Change”, encouraging active student participation. Students enthusiastically shared their thoughts and opinions, culminating in the key question, “What is Change, and how do you define it?”
Building on this foundational concept, we delved into various sectors and explored how they are evolving, particularly in terms of employment. Students individually identified current job trends in their respective fields, predicted high-demand job profiles for the coming years, and recognized positions that might become obsolete in the next decade. This exercise highlighted the role of technology, artificial intelligence, and data analytics in reshaping job landscapes. It became evident that today’s students must pivot and equip themselves with skills to navigate these changing tides for a fulfilling career.
Manohar, Batch 11 Gandhi Fellow from Karnataka, shared anecdotes from his fellowship journey in Kheda, Gujarat and added a touch of humor and insight. The session concluded by portraying the Gandhi Fellowship as not just one person’s story but the collective journey of thousands of talented individuals who have become high-impact contributors across various sectors.