Mumbai: As India increasingly looks towards technology to solve complex, citizen-facing challenges, the ability to first identify the right problem and understand its human impact is becoming as important as developing the technology itself. Reflecting this approach, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) hosted the We4Tech 6.0 Exhibition & Final Jury Round, providing students with a platform to develop and showcase technology-enabled solutions to real-world problems.

The sixth edition witnessed enthusiastic participation from 101 teams comprising 606 students, up from 76 teams in the previous edition. Following multiple stages of evaluation, 12 teams were shortlisted for the final jury round, where students presented their projects and ideas before the jury. The shortlisted teams included Jalnidhi, Vendorverse and Prism, among others, with the projects reflecting a wide range of citizen-focused challenges.

Some of the projects showcased at the exhibition addressed everyday challenges through practical, technology-enabled solutions. The students explained that one project focused on the lack of hyper-local, real-time information on waterlogged roads during Mumbai’s monsoons, using a crowd-sourced application where people can report waterlogging, share photographs and provide updates, with AI-based verification to ensure reliability. Another project addressed the challenge of tracking expenses and developing consistent savings habits, transforming conventional expense tracking into a gamified experience where users can set personal savings goals, receive alerts when they move away from those goals and use a virtual pet to create an emotional connection with saving. The students highlighted that their aim was to make these solutions more relevant, interactive and useful in everyday life.

Prof. Kaustubh Dhargalkar, Dean – Business Design, Innowe, NISP & REDX, WeSchool, said, “The enthusiasm among the students is overwhelming. Last year we had 76 teams, and this year we have 101, demonstrating the rising interest and comfort with technology to create tech-enabled solutions for citizen-facing problems. What is particularly encouraging is that some of these solutions have the potential to reach relevant stakeholders beyond the exhibition. Through initiatives such as Global Citizen Leader (GCL), where we collaborate with close to 100 companies on live projects, we continue to create opportunities for students to take their ideas beyond the classroom.”

The exhibition also brought together industry professionals and visitors, enabling them to interact with student teams and explore the solutions firsthand. As part of the initiative, relevant projects will also be taken forward for consideration with appropriate stakeholders, creating opportunities for promising ideas to move beyond the academic environment and towards potential real-world application.

An Audience Poll further added a public dimension to the exhibition, allowing visitors to explore the projects, interact with participants and vote for the Most Impressive Project. पेड़Care emerged as the People’s Choice Award winner, highlighting the audience’s appreciation for student-led innovation with social relevance.

The initiative was aimed at creating awareness around cancer prevention, early detection, and responsible lifestyle choices among young adults. The programme witnessed active participation from students and faculty, reinforcing the importance of preventive healthcare as a collective responsibility.

The event began with a flash mob performed by Healthcare Management students, creatively conveying messages around cancer awareness. This was followed by short student bytes highlighting common yet often ignored cancers such as breast, cervical, and oral cancer, along with the role of early screening and healthy habits. The programme concluded with a pledge-taking ceremony, where students committed to spreading awareness and adopting preventive practices.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anjali Kumar, Program Head – Healthcare Management, WeSchool, said, “Awareness is the key to disease prevention, and the same applies to cancer. At WeSchool, we make it a point to sensitise students every year through meaningful engagements so they are informed, get tested early, and understand that prevention is the most effective approach to combating cancer.”

Highlighting the larger role of institutions and leadership, Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, said, “World Cancer Day is a reminder that preventive health must be viewed as a leadership competency, not merely a personal lifestyle choice. Young adults today are better informed than ever, yet increasingly exposed to lifestyle-related risks that contribute to non-communicable diseases, including cancer. 

Higher education institutions have a responsibility to integrate preventive health literacy into leadership and management education. The fight against cancer begins much before diagnosis, it starts in classrooms, campuses, and everyday decisions that shape healthier individuals and stronger institutions.”

Sharing her experience, Anviti Kulshrestha, PGDM–Healthcare Management (Batch 2025–27), said, “On World Cancer Day, let’s talk about cancers that don’t come out of nowhere, Breast, Cervical, and Oral Cancer. These are not rare diseases. They are happening in our homes, our classrooms, and our workplaces, often because of small things we ignore every day. We have taken a pledge today to spread awareness against cancer and encourage early detection and support for the same. 

As youth, we can take actions to avoid substance abuse like smoking and drinking as they are leading factors for inducing cancer. Incorporating healthy and nutritious food habits instead of junk helps to reduce cancer. Cancer doesn’t always cause pain in the beginning, but it causes pain when it’s too late. Awareness, prevention, and early detection are not just medical terms, they are acts of self-respect. This World Cancer Day, let’s stop ignoring the signs, break the habits, and choose life.”

Through this initiative, WeSchool reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing socially responsible leaders who recognise that health awareness and prevention are integral to sustainable leadership and community well-being.

Marking a significant milestone, the conference was officially recognised as a Pre-Summit Event of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, underscoring its relevance at a time when children’s digital exposure, AI adoption and online risks are rapidly increasing.

The conference brought together over 300 students, school authorities, educators, policymakers, law enforcement officials, technology leaders and civil society representatives, with 35 schools joining virtually from Maharashtra, Goa and Jaipur, alongside global participation from organisations in the UK, US and other countries.

Welcoming the gathering, Mrs. Sonali Patankar, Founder & CEO, Ahaan Foundation, said;“Responsible Netism was initiated 13 years ago, when online safety and digital literacy were not even recognised as concerns. Today, as digital harm intensifies with evolving technologies and AI, safeguarding children has become critical. This conference reflects our belief that children must be actively involved in shaping the conversations, policies and safeguards meant for their own protection.”

She highlighted that Ahaan Foundation’s Responsible Netism initiative has grown into a nationwide movement, empowering over 18 lakh children and 10 lakh adults, supporting the resolution of 65,000+ digital harm cases, and establishing India’s first Cyber Wellness Centres across five states, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

Speaking on WeSchool’s continued association with the initiative, Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, said;“Education today must address the realities of the digital world children inhabit. Partnering once ag with Ahaan Foundation and Responsible Netism reinforces WeSchool’s commitment to enabling young minds to navigate technology with responsibility, resilience and ethical awareness.”

Designed as a unique ‘for children, by children’ platform, the day-long conference featured child-led panels, interactive demonstrations and performances covering critical aspects of digital life. Key sessions explored real-life case stories of digital harm, building cyber resilience and effective reporting mechanisms, and the impact of online gaming and gaming safety.

With a strong future-facing lens, sessions such as ‘AI: Friend or Foe’ examined children’s preparedness for artificial intelligence, ethical AI use and emerging risks, while discussions on trust and safety in technology focused on kindness, empathy and responsible online behaviour. The conference also showcased student-led skits and live demonstrations, reinforcing cyber safety concepts through peer learning.

Each panel and discussion will be consolidated into a Children’s Online Safety Manual, capturing children-led recommendations on cyber wellness, to be shared with schools and government bodies to support the adoption of safer digital practices across school ecosystems.

Addressing students and educators, Mr. Kaustubh Dhavse, Chief Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, emphasised that “the internet is no longer a place we visit, but a space we live in,” highlighting the need for awareness, guidance and collective responsibility in safeguarding children online.

Reinforcing the urgency of responsible digital conduct, Mr. Brijesh Singh, IPS, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, cautioned students about the permanence of digital footprints and stressed the importance of protecting identity, reputation, privacy and mental well-being in the online world.

With participation from technology leaders such as Google and Snap Inc., mental health experts, educators, policymakers and law enforcement, the conference reaffirmed Ahaan Foundation’s leadership in advancing child digital safety, supported by academic institutions like WeSchool.

As India advances towards a digitally empowered and AI-driven future, the 10th Responsible Netism National Cyber Psychology Conference, hosted at WeSchool and led by Ahaan Foundation, emerged as a defining platform, celebrating children’s voices, advocating ethical technology use, and working towards a safer, more inclusive internet for all.