Thiruvananthapuram, : A state-of-the-art Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) lab, developed and funded entirely by students for students, has been officially launched at Mar Thoma Central School, Cherunniyoor, Varkala. This innovative initiative is spearheaded by a group of high school students from the UAE, marking a significant milestone in student-driven educational development.
The Robotics, AI, and Innovation Lab (RAIL) is designed to bring advanced technology education to schools, particularly in underprivileged regions across India. The Varkala facility is the seventh lab established under the RAIL project.
The initiative is supported by Unique World Robotics, a leading Kochi-based Robotics and AI training institute committed to nurturing future-ready skills such as robotics, programming, and artificial intelligence among students. The organization collaborates with UAE-based students who take the lead in designing, developing, and maintaining these labs.
The first RAIL lab was established at Mar Thoma School, Cherunniyoor in 2022. The facility has now been upgraded with advanced technologies and reopened to provide enhanced learning opportunities.
Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, members of the UAE student team stated that their primary objective is to introduce AI and robotics education to students from an early age, ensuring accessibility regardless of geographic or economic barriers.
As part of this initiative, the student team is conducting a week-long training program titled “Future Ready Yatra” from July 20 to 26 at Mar Thoma Central School. The program offers hands-on training to students from Grades 1 to 12 using advanced hardware kits and upgraded infrastructure available at the lab.
Student Trainer Team:
Nikhilesh Kakkar (Dubai International Academy, Al Barsha), Shaurya Choudhary (Jumeirah College), Aditya Anand (GEMS New Millennium School, Al Khail), Kritin Satya (Dubai College), Aarnav Bhargava (GEMS Modern Academy), Muhammed Mifzal Mahroof (GEMS New Millennium School), Chanukya Teketi (Pearl Wisdom School), Shyon Sable (Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills), Pranav Praveen Nair (Delhi Private School, Dubai), and Sana Kaushik (Pristine Private School, Dubai).
Over the past four years, the RAIL project has expanded to multiple schools across India. Currently, seven labs have been successfully established, including facilities at Cherunniyoor and Panampatta New UP School in Maloor, Kannur.
Mr. Banson Thomas, Founder and CEO of Unique World Robotics, highlighted that the initiative stands out as a unique model where students themselves identify schools in rural and underserved areas, set up advanced labs, and directly train their peers. He noted that this student-led approach to technical education is unprecedented in India.
The UAE student team emphasized that access to robotics and AI education should not be limited by a school’s location, financial capacity, or recognition. They stated that the project demonstrates how students can play a pivotal role in bridging the technological gap in resource-limited communities.
Robotics, AI, and Innovation Labs (RAIL) serve as modern learning hubs, offering practical training and research opportunities in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation. These labs aim to simplify complex concepts and empower students to develop innovative solutions for the future.
