Dubai, UAE: Seventeen-year-old Vansh Gadhia, a student at Dubai College in the UAE, has been named in the prestigious top 50 Global Student Prize 2023 shortlist. Selected from nearly 4000 applications spanning 122 countries, Vansh Gadhia stands out for his exceptional achievements in international debating, speaking, mathematics, and coding competitions, as well as his dedication to fighting inequality.
The Global Student Prize, an annual award by Chegg.org, recognizes one outstanding student who has made a tangible impact on learning, the lives of their peers, and society as a whole. Vansh Gadhia, originally from Kenya, has demonstrated a profound commitment to addressing social issues and has garnered recognition for his remarkable accomplishments.
Partnered with the Varkey Foundation, Chegg.org launched the Global Student Prize in 2021, aiming to provide a platform that celebrates the efforts of exceptional students worldwide. The prize is open to all students aged at least 16, enrolled in academic institutions or training and skills programs. Part-time and online course students are also eligible for consideration.
Vansh Gadhia’s Accomplishments: At the age of 10, Vansh’s personal experience with short-sightedness and the realization of the challenges underprivileged children in Kenya faced in affording glasses prompted him to take action. He collaborated with Lions Club International, an NGO conducting eye testing for underprivileged children, and approached Al Jaber Opticals for assistance in manufacturing free glasses. The project successfully provided 500 tailor-made lenses and frames to 63,000 children from rural parts of Kenya.
Alongside his sister, Khushi Gadhia, Vansh has been an instrumental mentor and contributor to the Old Books for New Eyes initiative for the past two years. The initiative aims to enhance literacy among underprivileged children across Africa by providing them with old and used storybooks. Vansh played a crucial role in sorting over 25,000 storybooks into various categories and packaging them into boxes shipped to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Vansh Gadhia’s quest for making a positive impact extends to applying machine learning in identifying individuals at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes in Kenya. He has observed a correlation between Type 2 Diabetes and specific tribal ethnicities and is currently conducting research to understand the underlying reasons for such patterns.
To further his peers’ skills and exposure to computer science, Vansh founded the Computer Science Society at Dubai College, attracting more than 80 active student participants engaged in discussions, projects, and competitions like Hackathons.
UAE Students’ Success in Global Student Prize: UAE students have a notable history of excelling in the Global Student Prize. Last year, two UAE students, Amiteash Paul from New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and Maya Bridgman from Dubai College, secured spots in the top 50 shortlist, with Maya eventually making it to the top 10. In 2021, Lamya Butt, a UAE student studying at Stanford University, also achieved a top 10 position.
The Global Student Prize’s past winners include Ukrainian teenager Igor Klymenko, who developed a mine-detecting drone while sheltering in a basement during the Russian attack in Kyiv, and Sierra Leonean student Jeremiah Thoronka, who launched a start-up transforming road vibrations into electricity, benefiting numerous households and schools.
The top 10 finalists for the Global Student Prize 2023 will be announced in August, and the ultimate winner will be chosen from this select group by the esteemed Global Student Prize Academy, comprising distinguished individuals. Vansh Gadhia’s inclusion in the top 50 shortlist reflects his exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication to creating positive change in his community and beyond.
