SGSU and AISECT India Celebrate the 7th Edition of ‘Kaushal Charcha 2026’ on World Youth Skills Day

Scope Global Skills University (SGSU), in association with AISECT India, successfully celebrated the flagship event of the 7th edition of ‘Kaushal Charcha 2026’ on Tuesday to mark World Youth Skills Day. The four-day skills festival, being held from 13 to 16 July, has brought together students, industry experts, Skill Champions, trainers, and academicians to deliberate on future skills, Artificial Intelligence, innovation, and employability-oriented education.

The event has been organised in alignment with this year’s World Youth Skills Day theme, “Skills for a Shared Future.” The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Chancellor, Scope Global Skills University; Dr. Vijay Singh, Vice Chancellor; and Dr. Sitesh Kumar Sinha, Registrar, SGSU. Distinguished speakers included Nilesh Kulkarni, Former Indian Cricketer and Founder Director, International Institute of Sports Management (IISM); Prateesh R. Nair, Founder & CEO, Roaring Minds; and Shyam Chhabria, Founder & CEO, Altera Collective, who addressed the students on emerging opportunities in their respective fields.

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi emphasized that degrees alone are no longer sufficient in today’s rapidly evolving world. He urged young people to focus on skills, industry exposure, global certifications, and a culture of lifelong learning. He noted that in the era of Artificial Intelligence, digital technologies, and emerging industries, skill certifications, strong professional resumes, and hands-on experience will become the greatest assets for future professionals. He also highlighted SGSU’s initiatives in industry-integrated education, AI-enabled learning, global certifications, and employability-focused skill development.

Former Indian cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni spoke about the growing career opportunities in the sports sector, highlighting the increasing demand for professionals in sports management, sports science, and allied domains. Prateesh R. Nair encouraged students to embrace opportunities fearlessly, build meaningful professional networks, and continuously improve themselves to stay relevant in an ever-changing world.

The second session featured Mr. Abhishek Gupta, General Manager, AISECT India, who highlighted the significance of World Youth Skills Day and emphasized the critical role of skill development in the rapidly evolving global economy.

One of the major highlights of the programme was the inspiring interaction with WorldSkills Champions. Anushree Srinivasan, WorldSkills Bronze Medalist (Hospitality, 2022), shared her remarkable journey from regional skill competitions to the global stage, motivating students to dream big and pursue excellence through dedication and continuous practice. Students were also inspired by Sanskar Sharma, recipient of the Medallion for Excellence in Cyber Security at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, whose skills journey began at SGSU before progressing through state and national competitions to achieve international recognition.

Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Mr. Abhay Arun Mahishi, Regional Director, Regional Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (RDSDE), Madhya Pradesh, said that India is rapidly emerging as a skill-driven economy, and new technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, are creating unprecedented career opportunities for young people. He encouraged students to continuously upskill and reskill to remain competitive in the future workforce.

During the programme, more than 70 students, Skill Achievers, Best Trainers, Best Mobilisers, and Best Counsellors were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to skill development. The latest edition of the “Kaushal Mantra” newsletter was also unveiled on the occasion.

Earlier, on 13 and 14 July, students enthusiastically participated in a series of skill competitions, showcasing their creativity and technical expertise in AI Filmmaking, Prompt Writing, Robotics, House Wiring, Cyber Safe Click, Hydrogen Fuel Presentation, Sustainability & Innovation, Landscaping, Quiz, Craft Challenge, and Salad Decoration, among other competitions.

The four-day Kaushal Charcha 2026 will conclude on 16 July with an Industry Roundtable Discussion on “Advancing Gender Inclusive Workplace.” Organised in collaboration with IPE Global, with support from Young Indians (Yi) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the session will bring together leaders from industry, academia, and policy to deliberate on building inclusive workplaces and shaping the future of work.