This first of its kind event by CBSE outside India, was jointly hosted by United Indian School (UIS) Kuwait, and Lifology, on November 8, 2024 at the Aspire Indian International School Auditorium, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Kuwait.
The event began at 10.00 am with a prayer, including the Quran recitation and the Kuwait National Anthem, setting a respectful and inclusive tone. Students, teachers and principals of 24 CBSE Indian Schools in Kuwait attended this mega event.
The career guidance event aimed to inspire students and provide them with valuable insights into their future career paths and the importance of curiosity, resilience, and informed decision-making. The festival featured prominent speakers, expert talks, interactive sessions, and concluded with a valedictory ceremony.
Mr. Radhakrishnan C, Principal of the United Indian School, welcomed the attendees and introduced the theme of the event, emphasizing the importance of guidance and career awareness for young minds.
Moreover, students from UIS, Kuwait, performed an outstanding traditional classical welcome dance choreographed by Mrs. Sushi Sreejith, Dance Teacher, UIS, which reflected cultural heritage and added an artistic touch to the opening of the festival.
The ceremonial lighting of the lamp was conducted by Mr. Sanjay Kumar Muluka, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, alongside other distinguished guests.
This marked the official beginning of the day’s proceedings. Mr. Sanjay Kumar Muluka, representing the Indian Embassy, shared his insights on the importance of education and international collaboration in nurturing the potential of students.
Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director of Training & Skill Education at CBSE, who joined through the virtual platform, introduced the theme of the conference. He spoke about the role of skills and continuous learning in today’s rapidly evolving world and set the stage for the following discussion.
Dr. Tessy Thomas, former Director of Aeronautical Systems and Project Director for the Agni-IV missile at DRDO, delivered a keynote address titled ‘The Magic of Science: How Curiosity Shapes the Future’.
Dr. Thomas inspired the audience by discussing the transformative power of curiosity and science in driving progress and shaping the future. It was a thought-provoking and inspiring session that underscored the importance of curiosity in driving scientific progress.
Her dynamic delivery and real-world examples resonated with the audience, leaving them with deeper appreciation for the role of curiosity in shaping the future of science and society.
By blending personal stories with scientific examples, Dr. Thomas effectively communicated the magical nature of scientific discovery and importance of science in shaping the future. The session not only made science accessible and exciting but also reinforced the idea that science is an ongoing journey of exploration and innovation.
Mr. Rahul Easwar, a philosophy author and advocate, presented a talk titled; How to Fail in Teenage? Through a reverse psychology approach, he discussed common pitfalls that teenagers encounter and strategies to avoid them.
Mr. Easwar’s engaging and thought-provoking session emphasized resilience and self-awareness. His session was very interactive and students got enough chance to express their views. Attendees observed a prayer break for 15 minutes, allowing for a moment of reflection and spiritual grounding.
Mr. Rahul J Nair, Co-Founder of Lifology Foundation, presented an expert talk on the importance of career guidance and the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in helping students choose the right careers. He highlighted how AI can support students in making well-informed decisions based on their interests and abilities.
Mrs. Asha Sharma, Principal of ILOA, summarized the key takeaways of the event, thanking the speakers for their contributions and reiterating the importance of the topics discussed.
Ms. Laya, World’s First Humanoid Career Coach, was another notable Guest; who captivated the attention of everyone who made her debut at the festival, adding a futuristic touch to our career guidance capabilities.
The event concluded with an interactive session, where the speakers engaged with the audience, answering questions and providing further insights. The valedictory ceremony honoured the contributions of the guests and speakers, marking the end of a successful event.
The ‘Career Expo’ organized as a part of guidance festival provided the students with valuable insights into career opportunities, emerging trends and professional development.
The expo featured a series of presentation workshops, and exhibition by industry leaders, educational institutions and organizations from across the region. The event was successful in offering guidance on navigating the future job market, with a strong emphasis on the role of technology and AI in shaping career paths.
Besides the keynote speakers, a host of distinguished guests attended the function namely; Mrs. Stephanie Mathew Thomas, Head – Sustainability and Strategic Growth Stellar Education (Aspire Indian International School); Mr. Athul Thomas; Mr. Joy John – Managing Director, J&A; Mrs. Tessy Chandy – Vice Chairperson, UIS, UIIS, IPS; Mr. Joel Jacob – Executive Administrator, UIS, UIIS, IPS; Mr. John Thomas – Purchase Manager, UIS; Mr. Harbinder Singh – Admin Officer, UIS; Mr. Thomas George – Manager, IPS; Mr. Sarath Chandran – Vice President, Lifology; Mr. Bobby Mathews – Managing Director & CEO, Codepoint Software Pvt. Ltd. and; Mr. Jeff Chacko – Director, Mindtree International.
Mrs. Reshmi Elizabeth Zachariah, Primary Vice Principal, United Indian School and Mr. Philipose Varghese, Senior HoD – Physics, were the Master of Ceremonies and they have impressed everyone present for the session by managing this mega event beyond everyone’s imagination.
The overall coordination of this grand event was done by a dedicated UIS Team that comprised of: Mrs. Mary Litty, Vice Principal who was ably supported by a group of teachers namely: Mrs. Nisha Mary Thomas, Mrs. Neethu Jacob, Mrs. Smita Mandar, Mrs. Rubeena Malayil, Mrs. Sandhya Rajeev and Mrs. Roshni Kaipra. Also support was provided by Mrs. Anitha Somraj, KG Head; Mrs. Dona Varghese, PR Executive; Mr. Binaz Moinudeen and Mr. Binu Baby.
The CBSE Career Guidance Festival – 2024 (International) was a memorable and enriching experience for all participants. Through inspiring speeches, expert talks, and interactive sessions, students gained valuable insights into career development, the power of curiosity, and strategies for personal growth.
The event underscored the role of education and guidance in preparing the youth for future challenges and opportunities. The event was attended by 900 plus students, 100 plus teachers and Principals of all the Indian Schools in Kuwait.
On a significant note, the festival concluded at 1:30 PM with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude towards the organizers, speakers, and participants who contributed to making it a valuable and remarkable educational event in the history of CBSE Indian Schools in Kuwait.
