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AIESEC in Delhi IIT ignites Youth Leadership with “Educate, Empower, Equalize” at Youth Speak Forum 24


With a fervent dedication to nurturing the leadership potential of India’s youth, AIESEC in Delhi IIT proudly launched its esteemed event, ‘YOUTH SPEAK FORUM,’ held at Dogra Hall, IIT Delhi on April 7th, 2024 in association with the Office of Academic outreach & New initiatives at IIT Delhi.

Youth Speak Forum stands as a beacon of empowerment, an initiative by AIESEC, a globally recognized non-profit organisation driven by youth, aimed at fostering responsible leadership and providing international opportunities for young individuals. AIESEC in IIT Delhi, as part of this global movement, offers a plethora of international experiences spanning across 108+ countries.

The essence of YSF lies in its ability to convene young minds from diverse backgrounds, providing a platform for them to articulate their perspectives and ideas on pressing global issues that profoundly impact both them and their communities.

Under the overarching theme of ‘Educate, Empower, Equalise,’ this year’s forum was dedicated to the exploration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

The event commenced with an inspiring inaugural ceremony graced by notable personalities such as Mr. Vineet Gupta, Board of Advisory for AIESEC in Delhi IIT and Founder of Ashoka University, who shared invaluable insights on leadership and the role of youth. Joining him was Mr. Jitendra Das, Director General for FORE Group, shedding light on organisational research and education. Ms. Shelly Oberoi, Mayor and MCD of Delhi NCR, emphasised the paramount importance of quality education for today’s youth. Additionally, a warm welcome was extended by Professor Soumik from the Office of Dean of Academic Outreach & New Initiatives at IIT Delhi, marking the beginning of an enriching journey for the attendees.

The heads of the event, Pranjali Joshi (Vice President of Finances and Outgoing Corporate Exchanges) & Arhan Sayyed (Vice President of Business Development & External Relations) along with the Organizing Core Committee headed by Arush Ramachandaran, invited keynote speakers on the stage to empower the crowd with their words. 

The event featured distinguished keynote speakers who imparted valuable knowledge and skills to the participants. Ms. Himanshi Singh,Educational Influencer & Founder of Let’s Learn,conducted an enriching session on Personal Branding, Communication Skills, and CV Building, empowering attendees to harness their potential. Mr. Pushkar Raj Thakur,Guinesss Book Word Record Holder & Business Coach who delved into the intricacies of the stock market and trading, offering valuable insights into financial literacy.

Furthermore, the forum provided a platform for industry leaders such as Ms. Kavita Dasan, Vice President – Talent Management for Suzlon, to share insights into sustainable energy and career opportunities at Suzlon for aspiring young minds.

Sessions on international internship opportunities facilitated by AIESEC were also conducted, highlighting avenues for global engagement and professional growth.To apply for international internships,please visit https://aiesec.org/global-volunteer

The forum also witnessed engaging sessions led by experts in various fields, including Mr. Shubhankar Mishra on journalism, Ms. Mitali Nikore on gender equality, and Mr. Nitin Joshi on content creation strategies.

A pivotal aspect of the event was the panel discussion on gender equality, featuring esteemed panellists like Ms Ishita Mangal, a fashion influencer, and Ms Shruti Kapoor, project lead for UNICEF Yuva. The discussion centred on professional growth opportunities for women and gender minorities across social, industrial, and creative landscapes. The culminating cultural ceremony of the event featured the talented artist Ashish Singh, the Director of Music Club of IIT Delhi.

Gratitude was extended to the esteemed partners and sponsors whose unwavering support played a crucial role in making the forum a resounding success. The event was conducted in collaboration with Suzlon Energy Limited, an Indian multinational wind turbine manufacturer. Doms, as the stationery partner, facilitated stationery kits for the delegates. 

Suez, as the official sustainability partner, showcased its commitment to environmental stewardship by providing innovative solutions for water and waste management. Graphic Pulse, the printing partner, contributed to the seamless execution of the event through their high-quality printing services.

Moreover, certifications and affiliations from renowned institutions further solidified the credibility and impact of the event. The partnership with the Office of Dean of Academic Outreach and New Initiatives at IIT Delhi underscored the institutional support for initiatives promoting youth empowerment and leadership development. Additionally, certifications from esteemed organisations such as International Youth Council And UNICEF added prestige and recognition to the Youth Speak Forum, enhancing its value proposition for participants and stakeholders alike.

In conclusion, the Youth Speak Forum served as a testament to the power of youth in driving positive change and fostering inclusive development. As attendees departed with newfound knowledge, skills, and inspiration, they carried forth the torch of leadership, poised to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond!

by Vivek Kumar

W7Worldwide proudly announces that Abdulrahman Inayat has been recognized as PR Leader of the Year at the prestigious Athar Festival 2025, in a category presented in association with the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) — the global representative body for PR associations and consultancies. Representing the world’s leading PR consultancies and national associations across more than 80 countries, ICCO serves as the global voice of the public relations industry. This recognition underscores Inayat’s exceptional leadership and W7Worldwide’s continued contribution to advancing the communications landscape across Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and international markets. “This achievement is not only personal; it reflects the collective dedication of our W7Worldwide team and the transformation we are witnessing across the Saudi communication landscape,” said Abdulrahman Inayat . “We are proud to contribute to shaping a globally competitive PR industry that mirrors Vision 2030’s ambition and creativity.” This honor adds to a recent series of distinctions recognizing Abdulrahman Inayat’s leadership in the communications sector. He was previously elected Chairman of the Regional Board of the International Public Relations Network (IPRN) for the Middle East and North Africa. He also made history as the youngest board member of PRCA MENA and was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award, further underscoring his influence across the regional marketing and communications landscape. Meanwhile, W7Worldwide has received over 30 awards in recent years across local, regional, and global platforms, being recognized among the leading communications consultancies in the region. “Abdulrahman’s recognition as PR Leader of the Year exemplifies the excellence and ambition driving the Middle East’s creative marketing and communications community forward,” said Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Motivate Media Group and Festival Co-Founder. W7Worldwide has evolved into one of the region’s most respected homegrown communications consultancies, earning international acclaim for its strategic thinking, innovative storytelling, and deep cultural understanding. The agency continues to lead the way in positioning Saudi and MENA communications excellence on the global stage. About W7Worldwide W7Worldwide is a homegrown, award-winning communications consultancy known for its strategic insights, thought leadership, and culturally grounded storytelling. With a proven track record of partnering with more than 100 clients across diverse sectors, the firm has built deep expertise in reputation management and strategic communication, helping organizations strengthen trust and visibility. Operating across the MENA region and international markets, W7Worldwide continues to elevate Saudi communications leadership on the global stage.

by Vivek Kumar

The inaugural edition of CARE (Climate Action, Renewable Energy & Sustainability) forum series by Trescon, is set to become the MENA region’s most influential platform for sustainability investment and climate innovation. The forum will unite regional and global leaders driving the Middle East’s clean energy transition. Co-located with DATE, a Digitization, AI & Emerging Tech Summit, CARE MENA will take place on 26-27 November at the iconic Madinat Jumeirah. “With the GCC committing billions to renewable infrastructure, CARE MENA offers a unique, action-oriented platform where capital meets climate ambition,” said Naveen Bharadwaj, Group CEO, Trescon. He continued, “From solar and hydrogen to green finance and industrial decarbonisation, the series will spotlight investable opportunities that support net-zero goals and drive regional climate action.” Talking about the series, Jens Y. Zimmermann, President, Orios Venture Partners, said, “Looking forward to CARE and learning more about new developments, trends & investment opportunities in climate & renewable energy.”  For start-ups, scale-ups and climate tech ventures, CARE MENA is a launchpad and a great opportunity to secure investments.  “I’m looking forward to CARE as a platform to uncover investment opportunities in climate tech and renewables,” said Kevin Holliday, CEO, Venturebeam. Ahmed Refaie, CEO & Global CIO, G.P.I. Global Partners Investments Limited said, “CARE gives an opportunity for climate finance and investment practicing professionals to deploy capital in an environmentally impactful and responsible way.” Whether seeking Series A investment, strategic partnerships or market access, participants will gain direct exposure to venture capital firms, institutional investors, family offices, and sovereign funds. Backed by some of the region’s most prominent investors — from the Royal Group and Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) to ARM Holding, Venturesouq, Plug and Play, and others — CARE MENA is set to spark high impact collaborations. Talking about the opportunities at CARE, Sofia Kostiunina, Managing Director, 100VP commented, “From the VC perspective, I see CARE as an excellent platform to identify breakthrough opportunities in renewable energy and climate tech.” Flagship initiatives include: CARE ESG Awards, hosted by Trescon and supported by ESG MENA, will also spotlight and celebrate the “Responsible Investor of the Year” and the “Young Sustainability Pioneer of the Year”. Sessions at the summit will explore regulatory reform, capital flows and technology deployment, with a sharp focus on commercial viability and regional scalability. With the help of its sponsors including Emtribe, Cero Hero, Enjazponic, S&P Global and others, CARE MENA will also feature investor roundtables, pitch sessions and partnership forums — ensuring that conversations lead to commitments. For founders, it’s a chance to pitch to decision-makers. For corporates, it’s a front-row seat to the next wave of green innovation. And for investors, it’s access to the region’s most promising ventures and infrastructure projects.

by Vivek Kumar

TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, India’s largest deeptech summit, set the tonefor one of the nation’s most significant science and technology developments — the launch of the ₹1lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund by Prime Minister Narendra Modi atthe Emerging Science and Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. At the two-day TiEcon Delhi-NCR, a keynote fireside conversation titled “Quantum Leap: AcceleratingIndia’s Tech Sovereignty” brought together Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science& Technology (DST- GOI), and Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR. Thediscussion highlighted India’s focus on strengthening deep-tech capabilities through collaborativeR&D, private sector participation, and startup-led innovation – a vision that aligns closely with theobjectives of the newly launched RDI Fund. Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, GOI said, “India stands at adefining moment in its deep-tech journey. The Research, Development and Innovation Fund is afirst-of-its-kind initiative to empower corporates, industries, and startups across sunrise sectors suchas quantum, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. With liberalized norms and atwo-tier fund management model, it aims to catalyse private sector R&D, promote IP creation withinIndia, and strengthen our path toward technological sovereignty. The government’s role is to enable,not control – fostering risk-taking and long-term R&D investment that builds India’s innovationstrength.” Sharing his perspective, Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “India’sambition to achieve tech sovereignty depends on uniting scientific excellence with entrepreneurialexecution. By deepening collaboration between academia, research, and startups, we can turncutting-edge discoveries into world-class products. TiE Delhi-NCR continues to be a catalyst for thisecosystem, connecting innovators, investors, and policymakers to drive India’s next wave oftechnological breakthroughs.”The session followed the inaugural keynote by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister ofCommerce and Industries, who emphasised the government’s vision to build a deep-tech ecosystempowered by innovation and youth engagement. Organised by TiE Delhi-NCR, TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 brought together policymakers, investors,founders, and global thought leaders to discuss India’s next growth frontier in technology andentrepreneurship. For over 25 years, TiE Delhi-NCR has been a driving force in India’s innovationlandscape, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and investment that continue to shape the country’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.About TiE Delhi-NCR TiE Delhi-NCR is one of the most active and vibrant chapters of TiE Global, dedicated to fosteringentrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, and funding. With a legacy spanningover two decades, TiE Delhi-NCR continues to empower innovators and founders, driving India’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.