Doha:Adarsh Kumar, a student at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), has been recognized with The Diana Award for his outstanding contributions to youth leadership. Kumar, the founder of the educational platform Skillzo, initiated the project at the age of 16, aiming to connect Indian students with mentorship and career opportunities.

According to Marhaba, The Diana Award, established in 1999 in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, honors young individuals for their social and humanitarian efforts. The award was initially chaired by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and has patrons such as David Cameron and Esther Rantzen. Kumar’s work with Skillzo, which has benefited over 25,000 students in India, was inspired by his upbringing in Bihar, India, where he sought to make educational guidance more accessible.

Skillzo was born out of Kumar's desire to aid students in exploring various careers through entrepreneurship education and mentorship. Despite challenges in gaining support due to his young age, Kumar persevered, adopting a resilient approach to failure and uncertainty. His journey includes overcoming financial barriers and redefining success after multiple setbacks.

At GU-Q, Kumar is leveraging the university's diverse academic offerings to further his education and contribute to his home state of Bihar. The experience at GU-Q is transforming his problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as he interacts with peers from diverse backgrounds and engages in comprehensive coursework.

Kumar's message to aspiring young leaders is to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth, a philosophy that has driven him since the inception of his platform.