Young Buds Leading The Club Says Will Continue To Conduct Similar Programme For The Same Cause
Srinagar, Apr 26 : The WE-AI (Women Empowerment–Artificial Intelligence) Club has concluded the first phase of its Valley-wide outreach programme, marking a significant step in promoting student-led innovation across Kashmir.
Founded by Taleyn Tatheer Khan and co-founded by Aiza Naveed Shah under the mentorship of Priyanka Bhargava from Admit Kard, the programme was conducted from April 20 to 24 across several prominent institutions, including Kashmir Harvard, Green Valley Educational Institute, Presentation Convent School, Crescent Public School, SRM Welkin School Sopore, Birla Open Minds International School and GD Goenka Public School.
Placing inclusivity and youth leadership at the forefront, the founders and organisers played a central role in driving the initiative.
At the core of the outreach was the founders’ vision to make Artificial Intelligence and engineering concepts accessible, engaging and relevant for school students, particularly young girls. Through structured sessions, interactive discussions and hands-on activities, the workshops fostered curiosity, critical thinking and confidence among participants.
“We wanted to move beyond awareness and create meaningful engagement,” Aiza said, stressing that the aim was to inspire students to actively explore technology rather than passively learn about it. “Seeing students question, participate and show genuine curiosity about AI has been incredibly rewarding.”
Asking students to reflect on their own uncertainty about life after school, she noted that many feel limited to conventional options such as NEET, JEE, or UPSC.
“While these are excellent opportunities, they are not the only paths available. Preparing for opportunities abroad or alternative careers is not a backup plan, it requires equal preparation, awareness, and direction,” she said.
Sharing her personal experience, Aiza emphasised the importance of early exposure and guidance.
“That is exactly why being part of W-EA means so much to me because I want more students to discover their options earlier and choose their future with confidence, not confusion,” she added.
Describing W-IA as more than just a club, she called it a “launchpad” that enables students to engage in interactive learning, connect with global mentors, and gain hands-on experience through project-based activities.
“Even if you’ve never written a single line of code before, you begin building real projects. Because the best way to understand engineering is to actually experience it,” she said.
Highlighting the impact of the initiative, she noted that students gain clarity in decision-making, build strong academic profiles, and develop skills across multiple engineering domains.
Aiza also underscored the importance of community and representation, particularly for young women in technology. Citing global statistics, she pointed out that less than 25 per cent of the STEM workforce is female, with representation dropping to nearly 10 per cent in senior roles.
“When you really think about it, it means the technology shaping our future is being built largely without the voices of women, and that needs to change.”
She encouraged students to become part of a supportive network of young women stepping forward to claim their space in technology and innovation.
Announcing a free career seminar initiative, Aiza said students would have access to expert guidance and one-on-one counselling sessions. “This is not just a lecture—it’s a conversation about your life, your direction, and your possibilities,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the host institutions, principals, and students for their participation and engagement.
Earlier, Taleyn-Khan in her address said that “we are living in one of the most exciting times to step into fields like engineering and AI.”
“These industries are growing faster than ever before. Companies are not just hiring, they are actively searching for people with the right skills. And the students who begin building those skills today, are the ones who will be leading that future tomorrow,” She said, adding, “That window of opportunity is open, and more importantly, it is open for every single one of you sitting here.”
The five-day programme introduced students to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, engineering pathways and the expanding role of women in technology-driven fields. The sessions also highlighted leadership, innovation and real-world application of knowledge, key components of future-ready education.
The initiative has evolved into a student-led movement focused on bridging the gender gap in technology and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
The organisers noted that the completion of the first phase marks the beginning of a larger journey, with plans to expand outreach and build a sustained ecosystem where students, especially girls, are empowered to pursue careers in AI and engineering.
They invited the student community to join the consortium, WE AI Club, to have meaningful interactions among themselves and benefit from the mentors and the experiences of achievers. (GNS)
