PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
UPES extended institutional support to the Digital Catalyst Programme (DCP) 2026, an initiative designed to equip young learners from rural and unprivileged communities with artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, digital skills, computational thinking and social innovation capabilities. The 11-day event was organised by Kalpavriksh Sustainable Development Society in collaboration with the UPES Department of Social Outreach at the Bidholi campus of UPES.
The programme brought together 45 meritorious students from across 13 districts of Uttarakhand, many of whom come from remote hill and rural regions of the state. Through an immersive, project-based learning experience, participants gained exposure to AI literacy, responsible use of artificial intelligence, computational thinking, design thinking, communication skills, digital problem-solving and social entrepreneurship.
Over the course of the programme, students participated in sessions covering AI safety, digital literacy, prompt engineering, computational thinking, Canva-based communication, beginner-friendly coding, social startup design and prototype development.
The vice chancellor, UPES, Sunil Rai said that artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of society and the future of work. “It is therefore essential that young people, irrespective of their geographical or socio-economic background, have access to opportunities that help them develop digital confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills,” he added.
