20 colleges from K'taka selected for Global Shapers Hub

BANGALORE, INDIA: The Global Shapers Forum, established by the World Economic Forum, is an exclusive community of exceptional youth with extraordinary achievements, who would work together to find fresh solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

In September 2011, Prof. Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, handpicked a few cities including New York, London, Washington, Johannesburg and Bangalore for the program based on three indexes - innovation, entrepreneurship and youth.

According to him the number of young global leaders from Bangalore is probably as good as young leaders from Silicon Valley and hence the selection of the city.

Global Shapers Karnataka include Pankaj Advani (World Snooker Champion), Rohan Bopanna (US Doubles Finalist), Ramya, (Film actress), Phanindra Sama, (Founder — redBus.in), etc.

However, Global Shapers in Bangalore is going beyond their brief, not to restrict to the elite youth in Bangalore, but to create a bigger platform for millions of youth across Karnataka - especially from the upcountry locations.

For the Youth Summit 2012, 250 students from institutions across Karnataka were given a chance to interact with industry and thought leaders like Kiran Bedi, Kris Gopalakrishnan, etc.

However, since for the Youth Summit, out of 25,000 odd students considered, only less than 1 p.c. got a chance, Global Shapers has now selected 20 colleges, where Hubs are initiated. Students from these Hubs would have the privilege of working in a community of the World Economic Forum and Global Shapers.

Global Shapers also would give out close to 10,000 scholarships during the course of this year in order to enable students to develop their leadership skills.

''During one of the comprehensive research exercises that we undertook, it was found that though graduate students in Karnataka are proficient in technical skills, they lag behind in professional and leadership skills. Hence, the constant industry outcry that almost 95 p.c. of these graduates is unemployable. Global Shapers shall be focusing our efforts in creating T shaped competencies in students - where they not only have the vertical technical skills, but also have the horizontal professional skills'' said Sangeeth Varghese, founder curator, Global Shapers.

Apart from being part of Global Shapers initiatives like scholarships and youth summits, students shall also be gaining valuable leadership experience while setting up a Global Shapers hub - enrolling student members, conducting local events, managing various activities - in close coordination with the Global Shapers India team.