Youth digital empowerment begins with teaching them the skills and confidence they need to explore, create, and innovate utilizing technology.
This is an exclusive interview series conducted by the Editor Team of The Mainstream with Mr. Sameer H Kulkarni, CIO at Core Integra Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd.
- What is digital literacy and why does it matter?
Digital literacy is the ability to access, evaluate, create, and share information using digital technologies effectively and responsibly.” It covers a wide range of topics, such as accessing the internet, using digital tools, understanding data security, and using technology for learning, collaboration, and innovation.
In today’s environment, digital literacy is not simply a technical talent, but an essential one as well. It’s important because we live in a digitally connected world where technology influences how we work, learn, and interact. Digital literacy is critical for young people because it allows them to access information, participate in global conversations, and seize opportunities that promote personal and professional development. It also prepares learners to critically examine digital content, stay safe online, and actively engage in the digital economy.
On a societal dimension, digital literacy bridges the digital gap, fosters inclusiveness, and ensures that everyone can contribute to and benefit from technology breakthroughs. Young people need to evolve into active, knowledgeable, and empowered citizens in an increasingly technologically advanced world.
- As an IT Leader, what are your views on digitally up-skilling the youth in the post-COVID era?
The post-COVID era has highlighted the crucial need to digitally upskill the youth. The pandemic drove digital transformation throughout industries, making digital skills not only beneficial but also required for employability and innovation. As an IT executive, I am adamant that providing young people with relevant digital skills is crucial for driving economic recovery, stimulating innovation, and assuring their competitiveness in a worldwide workforce.
Digital upskilling is more than just teaching technical tools; it’s about developing adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a digital setting. The youth must comprehend emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and data analytics, as well as develop softer skills such as digital collaboration, cybersecurity awareness, and ethical technology use.
In addition, there is a greater demand for inclusivity following COVID-19. We must ensure that upskilling initiatives reach underserved and marginalized groups, thereby bridging the digital divide. This entails forming partnerships between governments, educational institutions, and business organizations to build learning routes that are accessible, inexpensive, and effective.
At Core Integra, we are dedicated to supporting this vision by harnessing technology to empower individuals and promote inclusive growth. By digitally upskilling the youth, we are not only preparing them for jobs, but also empowering them to be catalysts of innovation and change in the digital economy.
- How can the youth be digitally empowered? What kind of exposure and engagement opportunities in the educational curriculum can educational institutes implement to raise interest of youths to up-scale their digital skills?
Youth digital empowerment begins with teaching them the skills and confidence they need to explore, create, and innovate utilizing technology. This involves more than just mastering fundamental computer literacy; it also entails developing a strong basis in critical thinking, problem solving, and ethical tech use. We empower young people to tap into the limitless potential of the digital future by introducing them to coding, data analytics, cybersecurity foundations, and new technologies such as AI.
Educational institutes play an important role in igniting and fostering these passions. They can use practical, hands-on activities like coding clubs, hackathons, digital’maker’ labs, and internship programs to put theory into reality. Students should be encouraged to engage on real-world projects that align with industry objectives, providing them with tangible results and a sense of purpose. Guest lectures from IT professionals, collaborations with IT companies, and mentorship opportunities all help to demystify technology and encourage students to pursue digital skills further.
Finally, by combining digital literacy with collaborative, project-based learning, educational institutions can enable kids to become not only proficient users of technology, but also innovators and leaders in a quickly changing digital ecosystem.
- Should it become a must for schools, colleges and other educational institutes to conduct workshops or crash-courses programs to drive the importance of technology for businesses?
In today’s technologically advanced world, it is becoming more and more important for colleges and universities to offer students with a practical grasp of how technology impacts organizations. Workshops and crash-course programs provide a hands-on opportunity to emphasize these relationships. By incorporating such programs into the curriculum, schools and institutions can help students transcend beyond theory and build an informed, problem-solving mindset.
Furthermore, early exposure to developing technologies and real-world applications encourages students to think critically about how technology may be used to boost productivity, innovation, and social impact. This practical knowledge not only qualifies them for the labor market, but it also enables them to become entrepreneurial thinkers capable of adapting to—or even shaping—future industries.
subsequently carrying out tech-oriented workshops promotes constant digital literacy, fosters a culture of continuous learning, and prepares students for successful careers in a fast changing corporate world. It is an investment that benefits both students and educational institutions, as well as the overall economy.
- As an IT leader, what advice would you give to the youth considering their career in the technology industry? What should they know about the industry before starting their career? What challenges they could face in and how do they overcome the challenges?
I would urge young people who want to work in technology to focus on three key areas: continual learning, adaptability, and teamwork. The technology industry moves quickly, so having a growth attitude and being open to new skills—such as AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data science—will keep them relevant.
Before beginning their careers, they must understand that technology is more than just coding or product development; it is also about solving real-world challenges, typically in fast-paced and global settings. To work well in cross-functional teams, you must have a good mix of technical expertise, creativity, and strong communication skills.
Young professionals in the field may face hurdles such as fast changing tech stacks, high rivalry, and the need to pivot swiftly in response to customer or company demands. They can overcome these challenges by keeping up with courses, webinars, and tech networks, as well as seeking mentorship from seasoned professionals. Accepting failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can help them remain resilient and proactive in the face of future obstacles.
Above all, maintaining integrity, ethics, and a desire to collaborate will lay the groundwork for long-term success in this rapidly changing sector.
- Any other points you would like to highlight?
Inclusion is an important consideration. As we embrace the digital age, we must ensure that no segment of society or demography falls behind. Creating accessible learning opportunities, mentoring programs, and giving information in a variety of formats can all assist to bridge the digital divide and bring the benefits of technology to more people.
In addition, it is critical to cultivate an ethical innovation attitude. Technology influences how we work and live, so understanding data privacy, sustainability, and responsible AI use is critical. By instilling these principles early on, we may help the next generation use technology for good, boosting economic growth while simultaneously driving beneficial social impact.
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