Five pupils from India have been selected as the top 50 finalists for the $100,000 Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2023, which had been selected from 3,851 applicants from 122 different countries. An extraordinary individual that has made an important effect on education, the daily lives of those around them, and society at large receive the prize each year. The nominees from India for this year are Gladson Vaghela, a 25-year-old medical student at Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society Medical College, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Padmaksh Khandelwal, a 17-year-old computer science student at Sir Padampat Singhania School, Kota, Rajasthan, and Namya Joshi, a 16-year-old student at Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana, Punjab; Vinisha Umashankar.
Heather Hatlo Porter, the head of Chegg.org and chief communications officer of Chegg stated, the organization not solely recognizes what you've accomplished but also acknowledges the infinite possibilities that arise whenever young minds are driven by a desire for change. A chance for individuals to share their tales and make their opinions recognized ought to be given to the top 50 Global Student Prize candidates. She added that all individuals will be made brighter by their aspirations, knowledge, and inventiveness. Joshi, a 16-year-old teacher who was named the Top Tech Savvy Student in India, became addicted to Minecraft after realizing that the game could be utilized as a teaching tool. She continued developing an online archive of Minecraft tutorials, which now totals 500+ and has become viewable on her website and YouTube channel.
Math and science have always been Umashankar's favorite subjects in school. She also serves as an artist, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and environmentalist. When she was 12 years old, she started her invention career by developing the highly regarded 'Solar Ironing Cart' and a power-saving 'Smart Ceiling Fan'. Since then, she has participated in several scientific and technology contests and has won international, national, and state prizes. Vaghela, a medical student, engages in healthcare outreach initiatives in marginalized communities and advocates for healthcare equality and accessibility for everyone. He has played a role in the creation of a database of providers of mental health services for over 150 different countries and has been a Youth Advisor to YuWaah (Generation Unlimited) at UNICEF India. Khandelwal started the current homeschooling version of the Mogya Education Program for kids with the help of the NGO Tiger Watch. Khandelwal additionally works on preventing suicides among students and is an anti-poaching campaigner. Bishnoi utilized his travels to cybercafés to learn about robotics, electronics, design, and other technical specialties. Throughout the past ten years, he created several gadgets, robots, exoskeletons, portable water filters, and other tools to aid the less fortunate.
In 2021, the Varkey Foundation and Chegg.org will jointly introduce the Global Student Prize, a yearly prize worth $1 million that will complement the Global Teacher Prize. The goal was to develop a brand-new platform that showcases the achievements of exceptional pupils internationally. Anyone who is at least 16 years old and registered in an academic institution or training and skills program is eligible to win the award. The reward remains accessible to students undertaking online courses and part-time students. Sunny Varkey, the founder of the Varkey Foundation from Kerala, stated as time runs out to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it has become more crucial than ever before to give priority to education so that we may confidently face the future. By the end of next month, the top 10 finalists for this year's Global Student Prize are anticipated to be revealed. The Global Student Prize Academy, composed of renowned individuals, will select the winner among the top 10 finalists, which will be revealed at the end of the year.
