COIMBATORE — Rithanya Sivaram, a Class 12 student at The Indian Public School, has launched Vibrance Hub, a platform designed to integrate project-based learning with peer collaboration and wellbeing practices. This initiative aims to bridge a critical gap as India steers its educational framework towards preparing students for an AI-dominated future.
On launching the hub, Sivaram stated, “In the age of AI, information is commoditized. What matters now is what you can make, how you think, and whether you can sustain creative work over time.” She emphasized the importance of fostering a creative environment. “Atal Tinkering Labs have given students the tools and space to tinker at a national scale. Vibrance Hub provides the scaffolding, community, and wellbeing practices necessary for turning interest into sustained creativity.”
Vibrance Hub draws inspiration from MIT’s Lifelong Kindergarten framework, which focuses on Passion, Projects, Peers, and Play. This educational model highlights that maker education extends beyond hands-on creation. It nurtures critical skills such as computational thinking, resilience through iteration, and collaborative abilities—traits that automated systems cannot replicate.
“It’s essential for students to not merely consume information, but to engage actively in the learning process,” Rithanya added. Her vision for Vibrance Hub is to revive a maker-centric educational approach that fosters independent thinkers.
Historically, Indian education emphasized experiential learning. Long before the influence of colonial policies like Macaulay’s Minute on Education in 1835, the gurukul system promoted hands-on experiences where students learned through actual practice. This approach cultivated various skills, enabling students to master disciplines such as metallurgy, medicine, and astronomy actively.
The National Education Policy 2020 supports this resurrection of experiential learning, acknowledging that India’s prosperity hinges on nurturing creators and innovators rather than mere information repeaters. Lessons learned through active participation resonate more effectively and cultivate enduring skills.
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), initiated by NITI Aayog in 2016, represents an ambitious effort to operationalize this maker-centric educational philosophy on a national level. AIM addresses the NEP 2020’s vision by laying down essential infrastructure for hands-on learning, fostering creativity and encouraging innovation across the country.
Vibrance Hub aligns with these national goals by providing students with the platform to collaborate on projects while prioritizing their well-being. By creating a community focused on learning and personal development, Vibrance Hub aims to empower the next generation to thrive in an environment where innovation is key.
The need for adaptive learning approaches like Vibrance Hub is particularly crucial today, as traditional education struggles to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Sivaram’s initiative exemplifies how students can drive change in their education, ensuring their skills remain relevant in an ever-evolving job landscape.
