Empowering the next generation with Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills
One Classroom at a time
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One Classroom at a time
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The Skill Leap Initiative was started by Kavin Khanna in 2023 with a simple belief: access to technology can transform lives. In partnership with the KCS Foundation, the project aims to bridge the digital divide and foster digital empowerment by setting up advanced computer labs and providing computer and AI literacy, financial and entrepreneurship training to high school students in rural Bihar, starting with Samastipur District.
Determined to empower students in Bihar’s remote areas, where children often have access to the internet but rarely the guidance to use it meaningfully, Kavin created a space where learning digital skills could open doors to new futures.
Our Approach
Set up full computer labs (25-30 systems) with high-speed internet, projectors, printers, everything needed for an engaging, modern learning space.
From basic computing and internet literacy to coding (Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript), and for those ready to go further, we explore AI, ML, and data skills.
We cover business planning, digital marketing, and financial literacy, guiding students to launch real ventures that serve their communities.
Students connect with industry experts through virtual sessions, workshops, and monthly talks that bring real-world insight and encouragement.
Every student develops a hands-on project, whether it's a local e-commerce idea, a tech service, or an educational blog. We focus on execution, not just theory.
We track progress through regular evaluations, feedback sessions, and community input, making sure we're growing with purpose.
Our yearly showcase brings families, teachers, and local leaders together to celebrate student innovation and spread awareness.
Driven by Purpose. Grounded in Action
As a 17-year-old studying Economics, Geography, and Psychology at Jumeirah College in Dubai, I’ve always been drawn to issues that lie at the intersection of social equity, sustainability, and quality education. Participating in the Entrepreneurship and Social Justice summer course at Columbia University shaped my understanding of creating impact through social initiatives and businesses achieving a triple bottom line, which laid the foundation for my vision behind Skill Leap.
While researching the impact of war on children in conflict zones during my Global Research Consultancy’s (GRC) Essay Competition, I saw a deep, global divide in access to education that urgently needs to be addressed. What struck me most wasn’t just the trauma, but the long-term consequences of being excluded from opportunities like education and digital literacy. I realized that the digital divide isn’t just a technological gap; it’s a human gap, a future gap. This pushed me to act, and the proposed solution, I-Leap, was awarded 11th rank globally and 1st in the UAE. India became the starting point. While exploring ways to make a difference, I came across the incredible work by KCS Foundation in India. Their on-ground impact in regions like Bihar inspired me to partner with them. It felt like the right place to begin for a tangible difference. That’s when the idea for the Skill Leap Initiative was born, an effort to equip underprivileged students with essential evolving digital skills, improve their access to learning tools, and empower them to become active participants in the digital economy. In partnership with KCS, we launched this initiative in Bihar, starting small but aiming high with the hope of scaling it across other underserved regions in the future. Looking ahead, I hope to take Skill Leap beyond Bihar. My aim is to partner with more organisations and seek government support to expand this initiative across India, and eventually, globally.
“I designed the entire Skill Leap curriculum to make digital learning simple and accessible. You don’t need a lot of money to be a changemaker, What you need is a vision, commitment, and the courage to start.. We built something that could transform lives”
“Many of the kids didn’t even know what financial literacy meant, during my visit, it was heartening to see them not only using the systems but actually becoming curious about how tech could improve their lives.”
As a full-time student, I balance Skill Leap with school, usually working on it in the evenings or on weekends. I'm hands-on with the curriculum: designing, editing, and constantly refining it to match the learning styles and realities of the students we're reaching.
When I visited Bihar, I got to lead sessions, talk to students, understand their day-to-day, and work closely with teachers and the KCS team. That time grounded the initiative for me. It's not just a project, it's a relationship. Since then, I stay in close touch with the local teams, helping solve challenges, tracking progress, and thinking about how we grow sustainably
I've learned that real impact comes from listening first, solving problems with context, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in the mission. Working with the KCS Foundation has taught me that partnerships grounded in trust can scale real change. Together, we've already reached over 2,700 students, and we're just getting started.
For me, Skill Leap isn't just about tech skills. It's about what happens when a student feels seen, capable, and ready to lead. That's what drives me, and that's the kind of future I want to help build.
about the project on various Digital Media platforms