Message from Dr. Sudha Kidao, Managing Trustee, FFEIT

Dear Friends,

Every new financial year brings with it a fresh sense of purpose. For us at FFE, the first quarter is a time to reflect on the journey we've taken, celebrate what we've accomplished, and reimagine what is possible. As we look back on the past year, we celebrate the milestones we've achieved together and the lives we've touched. As we enter this new financial year, we remain committed to expanding our reach, strengthening and deepening our impact, and creating even greater opportunities for the students we serve.

The visionary Founders of FFE, Dr. Prabhu and Mrs. Poonam Goel envisioned the transformation of the lives of talented students from financially constrained backgrounds in a single generation. This is achieved through financial and other support, creating deep impact in a single generation — the story of FFE.

With a clear focus, FFE served its mission by awarding scholarships to 22,498 students throughout India during FY 2025-26, the highest number supported to date in a single year. We are delighted to welcome 7,154 new scholars into the FFE family — the talented torchbearers of tomorrow. With students from 28 states and 5 Union territories, FFE's national program boasts the participation of 35% women. The cohort includes 70% BE/BTech, 28% MBBS and 2% LLB students attending 600+ colleges in 28 states and 5 Union territories. The unprecedented response of over 43,000 applications underscores the immense unmet need for educational support and the significant gaps that remain. It reinforces the urgency of expanding access to opportunities for deserving students.

This remarkable journey of growth and impact was made possible through the active participation and support of our donors (alumni, individuals and 130+ corporate partners and Foundations), alumni, volunteer Facilitators, mentors, NGO partners, skilling partners and our enthusiastic student community. We are thankful for your enduring support for not just your direct participation and contributions but to generously opening up your networks to FFE — for new contributions, collaborations and partnerships.

It is this collective commitment that enables FFE to go beyond scholarships, building a holistic support ecosystem that empowers students to thrive at every stage of their journey. This edition highlights these successful initiatives as well as the many sponsor/donor/mentor-student interactions that are special moments of learning and understanding.

My thanks to FFE's Board for their guidance and support throughout the year. I am proud and deeply grateful to FFE's passionate and dedicated team, led by our CEO, Ram Kolavennu. My heartfelt thanks to each of them for their dedication and tireless efforts to serve our mission.

As we look ahead, we do so with renewed purpose and optimism, committed to another year of learning, collaboration, and empowering students to transform their aspirations into achievements. We invite you to join us on this journey and make it your own as we continue to strive to empower more students.

Message from Ram Kolavennu, CEO, FFEIT

Dear FFE Community,

As we step into FY 2026–27, I'm energized by how quickly this quarter's momentum has translated into new partnerships, new geographies, and new ways of supporting our scholars — including several meaningful new individual donor-scholar interactions this quarter, each bringing fresh energy and new opportunities for our scholars to connect with mentors and supporters.

A particular highlight this quarter was the launch of our partnership with Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST). Beyond the MBBS Rural Healthcare Scholarship, we began our Rural Healthcare Fellowship — a two-year program placing young doctors in resource-constrained rural and tribal health settings. By the end of June, our first four Fellows had taken up placements in Odisha, Telangana, Karnataka, and Arunachal Pradesh. This is exactly the kind of initiative that reflects FFE's evolution — from funding education to building the pipeline of professionals India's underserved communities need most.

Our FY 2025–26 Mentorship Program concluded this quarter with 26 closure sessions across corporate partners including Google and Microsoft — guiding over 2,500 scholars with support from 100+ corporations. I'm proud that partnerships like Microsoft's have now run five consecutive years, a testament to the lasting value both mentors and mentees find in this program. We've already launched the 2026–27 cycle, with over 2,100 volunteer nominations and 1,400+ scholars registered so far — momentum we hope to build on through July.

On the skilling front, we're excited to be expanding our AI literacy offerings, including a new partnership with Anthropic Academy to give scholars access to foundational AI fluency courses, alongside the 6,000+ scholars already engaging with OpenAI Academy. We also launched Launchpad with Avanti Fellows, a peer-led support initiative for first-generation learners, and saw 21 scholars selected for our Global Virtual Summer Research Internship, working alongside professors from Carnegie Mellon, Princeton, NYU, IIT Madras, and other leading institutions.

None of this happens without the dedication of our own team, and our Annual Retreat in Bengaluru this June was a wonderful reminder of the culture that makes it possible — even as we stay focused on the work ahead.

Thank you to our donors, corporate partners, mentors, and scholars for a strong start to the new financial year. Together, we continue building pathways to opportunity, one scholar at a time.

Donor Meet with LinkedIn

1 May 2026 · Offline

On 1 May 2026, FFE had the privilege of hosting the Social Impact Leaders from LinkedIn for their first visit to our office. The interaction brought together 10 scholars and alumni, including professionals currently working at LinkedIn and Microsoft, for meaningful conversations on growth, aspirations, and career journeys. More than just a meeting, the gathering reflected the transformative impact of education and opportunity, highlighting the ripple effect of strong partnerships and shared commitment to empowering future leaders.

FFE welcomed LinkedIn's Social Impact Leaders for an inspiring exchange with scholars and alumni, celebrating the power of education, opportunity, and meaningful partnerships.

Donor Scholar Meet with Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (GOSUMEC) donor Dr. Mehul Gandhi

28 May 2026 · Online

On 28th May 2026, we had a donor-scholar interaction between GOSUMEC donor Dr. Mehul Gandhi and his supported scholar, Shrinivas Tamboli, an alumnus of GS Seth. Dr. Mehul took time to understand more about Shrinivas' family background, his college experience, and how he is adapting to life in Mumbai after moving from Nanded.

Dr. Mehul also encouraged Shrinivas to actively participate in extracurricular activities alongside focusing on academics, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced and healthy mindset during college life.

Dr. Mehul Gandhi interacts with his supported scholar, offering encouragement, guidance, and valuable insights for a balanced and successful college journey.

Donor-Scholar Interaction with Dr. Vinay Gupta & Dr. Naveen Gupta

29 May 2026 · Online

On 29 May 2026, FFE facilitated a heartfelt virtual interaction between donors Dr. Vinay Gupta, Dr. Naveen Gupta, and their supported scholar, Nikita Ahlawat. The brothers have established a perpetual scholarship in loving memory of their late mother, a doctor who pursued her medical education in Rohtak.

Nikita, who hails from Haryana, shared her academic journey, family background, and aspiration to become a neurosurgeon. Coming from a farming family, she expressed her sincere gratitude to the donors for supporting her medical education and enabling her to pursue her dreams.

Dr. Vinay appreciated Nikita's dedication, learned about her ambitions, and wished her continued success in her academic and professional journey. The interaction concluded on a warm and inspiring note, celebrating the shared commitment to empowering the next generation of medical professionals.

A meaningful virtual donor-scholar interaction fostering mentorship, shared experiences, and encouragement for the scholar's academic and professional journey.

Donor-Scholar Interaction with Prof. Sampath Rajagopalan & Mrs. Nandini Rajagopalan

15 June 2026 · Online

On 15 June 2026, FFE facilitated a virtual interaction between donors Prof. Sampath Rajagopalan and Mrs. Nandini Rajagopalan and their scholars, Umar and Roshan, creating an enriching platform for meaningful conversations and shared learning.

Umar, a first-year MBBS student, spoke about his family's background, his love for reading and chess, and how studying anatomy has sparked his interest in pursuing surgery. Roshan, a first-year Electrical Engineering student from Ranchi, shared his passion for mathematics and his enthusiasm for exploring different career opportunities.

The donors appreciated the scholars' confident English communication skills and were curious to know how they had developed them. Umar attributed his fluency to his lifelong reading habit, while Roshan shared that interacting with his seniors in college had greatly improved his communication skills.

Mrs. Nandini Rajagopalan reflected on her academic and professional journey, including her studies at IIM Ahmedabad and her specialization in Strategic Management. Prof. Rajagopalan shared insights from his distinguished 36-year academic career in Operations Research and Supply Chain Management, inspiring the scholars with his experiences.

The conversation also explored the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in education, with both scholars describing how AI has become a valuable learning companion by helping them better understand concepts and strengthen their academic preparation. The interaction concluded on an encouraging note, with the donors motivating Umar and Roshan to continue pursuing their aspirations with curiosity, confidence, and perseverance.

Prof. Sampath Rajagopalan and Mrs. Nandini Rajagopalan interact virtually with their scholars, Umar and Roshan, sharing experiences, career insights, and words of encouragement.

Donor-Scholar Interaction with Mr. Prasada Rao

16 June 2026 · Online

On 16 June 2026, FFE facilitated a heartwarming virtual interaction between donor Mr. Prasada Rao and his supported scholars, Yogesh Meena and Deviga, offering an opportunity for meaningful conversations and mentorship.

Mr. Rao shared his inspiring journey of growing up in a farming family in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, and reflected on the values, experiences, and life lessons that shaped his personal and professional journey. Yogesh spoke about his family background and his interests in cinematography and the UPSC, while Deviga shared her aspiration to build a successful career through education and support her family.

The scholars sought guidance on career choices, skill development, and achieving their long-term goals. Drawing from his own experiences, including his early career at ISRO, Mr. Rao encouraged them to remain focused on their education, embrace hard work, stay positive, and take one step at a time toward their dreams. He also emphasized the importance of perseverance, strong family values, and giving back to society.

The interaction concluded on an inspiring note, leaving the scholars motivated and equipped with valuable insights to navigate their academic and professional journeys with confidence.

Mr. Prasada Rao interacts with his scholars, Yogesh Meena and Deviga, sharing life experiences, career guidance, and words of encouragement.

Donor-Scholar Interaction with Ms. Jayshree Merchant

16 June 2026 · Online

On 16 June 2026, FFE facilitated a warm virtual interaction between donor Ms. Jayshree Merchant and her supported scholar, Mayank Rawat, who is pursuing a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering.

During the interaction, Mayank shared his academic journey, his family background, and his future aspirations. He spoke about his father's small business and shared that he currently hopes to build his career in India after graduation.

Ms. Merchant reflected on her own journey, sharing the challenges she encountered when she first moved to the United States and the experiences that shaped her personal and professional growth. Her story offered valuable perspective and encouragement, inspiring Mayank to remain focused on his goals and embrace opportunities with confidence.

The interaction concluded on an encouraging note, with Ms. Merchant wishing Mayank success in his academic and professional journey and motivating him to continue working hard toward achieving his aspirations.

Ms. Jayshree Merchant interacts virtually with her scholar, Mayank Rawat, sharing personal experiences, career insights, and words of encouragement.

Donor-Scholar Interaction with Mr. Vigyan Singhal & Mrs. Sonali Bhushan

29 June 2026 · Online

On 29 June 2026, FFE facilitated a virtual interaction between donors Mr. Vigyan Singhal and Mrs. Sonali Bhushan and their supported scholar, Tanish Rewar, a student at IIT Kanpur.

Tanish shared his academic journey, his aspiration of studying at an IIT, and his current focus on learning coding and exploring new technical skills. He also spoke about his hometown of Sikar, Rajasthan, and shared that he is still exploring his long-term career goals.

Drawing from his entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Singhal spoke about co-founding a company with fellow IIT alumni that was later acquired by NVIDIA. He encouraged Tanish to stay curious, embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, and choose a career that aligns with his interests and strengths rather than rushing into decisions. He also emphasized the importance of remaining humble and adaptable throughout life's journey.

The interaction concluded on an inspiring note, with the donors encouraging Tanish to make the most of his time at IIT Kanpur and continue pursuing his aspirations with confidence.

Mr. Vigyan Singhal and Mrs. Sonali Bhushan interact virtually with their scholar, Tanish Rewar, sharing career insights, entrepreneurial experiences, and words of encouragement.

Alumni Engagement Initiatives

We have commenced several alumni engagement initiatives this financial year to strengthen our alumni network and enhance alumni participation in FFE's mission. As part of our outreach efforts this quarter, we have been connecting with alumni and inviting them to volunteer as Facilitators and Mentors. Through these roles, alumni can support scholars throughout their scholarship journey by providing guidance, mentorship, career coaching, and personal development support.

We also conducted our first alumni engagement meeting focused on the Alumni Referral Campaign. Alumni representatives from Microsoft, JioHotstar, and Broadcom participated in the discussion and shared valuable insights on outreach strategies and engagement initiatives. The group identified a list of target companies and discussed approaches to strengthening corporate connections through the alumni network.

In addition, discussions were held on creating internship and placement opportunities for FFE scholars by leveraging the professional networks and industry expertise of our alumni. These initiatives are expected to enhance career opportunities for scholars while deepening alumni engagement and contribution to FFE's mission.

Alumni Donor and Board Member – Roshan Khole along with Alumni Donors Rahul Kotecha and Narayanan Ulaganathan.

Alumni Donor and Scholar Interaction

This quarter, we initiated four virtual interactions under the Adopt a Scholar Program (ASP), enabling alumni donors to connect directly with their adopted scholars. These sessions provide a comfortable platform for scholars and donors to interact, share experiences, communicate in their regional language, seek guidance, and build meaningful connections within the FFE community.

Donor Gururaj Rudagi with his Scholars Anjali V, Eramma Madagi and Laxmi Ramesh.

Donor Dr. Rahman Raf Samjani and Scholar Mohd Rehan.

Donor Nilay Das and Scholar Swastika Ghosh.

Amazon and FFE Celebrate Scholar Successes and Strengthen Pathways to Future Careers

27 April 2026 · Offline

On 27th April, FFE along with the Amazon future engineer team hosted the Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) US Customer Experience & Skilling team and FFE-AFE scholars at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru, bringing together Amazon leaders and scholars for an inspiring afternoon of conversations and shared experiences. The event featured 10 scholars from across India—including interns, return interns, and full-time Amazonians—who reflected on their journeys from scholarship recipients to mentors for younger cohorts. Discussions focused on expanding internship opportunities and strengthening career pathways for scholars. To date, 530 FFE-AFE scholars have secured internships, highlighting the growing impact of the partnership.

The event was a celebration of the scholars' achievements and the collective commitment of Amazon and FFE to empowering the next generation of technology leaders. We were joined by Betty Beniam, Senior Product Manager, Amazon Future Engineer, Prateek Agarwal – IN Education Lead@ Amazon and Candi Castleberry (VP Amazon eXperience and Upskilling (AXU)) at the Leela Palace, Bangalore.

From Opportunity to Achievement: FFE-AFE Scholars Shine at the Amazon Together Summit

28 April 2026 · Offline

On 28th April, FFE-AFE scholars Vaishnavi, Rinki, and Suchana proudly represented the program at the Amazon Together Summit, at Amazon, Bangalore, sharing their inspiring journeys with an audience of over 550 Amazonians. From Vaishnavi's transition from AFE intern to full-time Amazonian, to Rinki's internship experience and Suchana's resilience in securing a PPO at Siemens after not receiving a return internship offer, their stories showcased the transformative impact of the FFE–Amazon Future Engineer partnership.

The event also featured inspiring sessions by Bhumi Pednekar on diversity and inclusion, and Candi Castleberry, who recognized the remarkable achievements of FFE scholars, making it a memorable celebration of perseverance, opportunity, and success.

Mentorship, Resume Building & Career Readiness at Amazon Hyderabad

7 May 2026 · Offline

On 7th May 2026, Amazon, in collaboration with Foundation For Excellence (FFE), hosted a Speed Mentoring Session for 50 AFE female scholars at its Hyderabad office. The session focused on resume building, career readiness, and industry exposure through one-on-one interactions with Amazon volunteers and leaders.

Scholars received valuable guidance on professional communication, resume development, and navigating career opportunities in the technology sector. For many students, this was a unique opportunity to interact with industry professionals and gain first-hand exposure to a corporate environment. The session helped build confidence, enhance career awareness, and equip scholars with practical insights as they prepare to enter the workforce.

A Day of Learning, Mentorship & Technology at Amazon, Bangalore

20 May 2026 · Offline

On 20th May 2026, Amazon hosted a Speed Mentoring Session for 50 FFE female engineering scholars at its BLR37 office in Bangalore. Scholars from Computer Science, IT, AI, and ML studying in 1st and 2nd year of Engineering in Bangalore colleges participated in an engaging day of coding, robotics, mentorship, and career exploration.

The session provided students with valuable opportunities to interact with Amazon leaders and volunteers, gain hands-on technical experience, and learn more about careers in technology. For many scholars, it was also their first experience in a corporate office environment, making the day both exciting and inspiring.

The highlight of the session was seeing the scholars code, build robots, and interact with senior leaders including Mr. Samir Kumar, Vice President and Country Manager, Amazon. Through meaningful mentor interactions and practical learning activities, the scholars gained confidence, broadened their horizons, and strengthened their readiness for future careers in technology.

RIST Program Commencement: Advancing Rural Healthcare Through Scholarships and Fellowships

18 May 2026 · Online & Offline

On 18 May 2026, MBBS scholars supported under the FFE–RIST Rural Healthcare Scholarship Program participated in an inspiring donor–scholar interaction with leaders from Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST) and FFE. Mr. Paul Glick, Executive Director, and Ms. Laura Reynold, Program Director, RIST, shared words of encouragement and emphasized the critical role young doctors can play in improving healthcare outcomes in rural India. Dr. Sudha Kidao, Mr. Ram Kolavennu, and Ms. Tanvi Rawat also engaged with the scholars, who shared their academic journeys and aspirations to serve their communities through medicine.

The quarter also witnessed the launch of the FFE–RIST Rural Healthcare Fellowship, a two-year program designed to address the shortage of MBBS doctors in rural and tribal regions. Through partnerships with rural hospitals, community health centres, mission hospitals, and non-profit healthcare institutions, the fellowship aims to provide doctors with opportunities to begin their careers in resource-constrained settings while gaining valuable clinical experience, mentorship, and professional development support.

During the quarter, FFE onboarded more than 10 healthcare partner organizations across multiple states and conducted site visits in Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to strengthen partnerships and understand local healthcare needs. A significant milestone was achieved on 25 May 2026 when the first Rural Healthcare Fellow joined Swasthya Swaraj Society in Odisha. By the end of June, four fellows had accepted placements with partner organizations in Odisha, Telangana, Karnataka, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Together, these initiatives reflect the shared commitment of FFE and RIST to building a pipeline of skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals who are equipped and motivated to serve India's most underserved communities.

FFE–RIST MBBS scholars engage with RIST and FFE leaders during an inspiring donor–scholar interaction.

FFE team during a site visit to a healthcare institution in rural Maharashtra.

The first FFE Rural Healthcare Fellow begins his journey at Swasthya Swaraj Society, Odisha, marking the start of the Rural Healthcare Fellowship Program.

Joy Thomas Foundation's Evening of Joy Celebrates Partnership, Purpose, and Impact

19 June 2026 · Offline

The Joy Thomas Foundation (JTF) hosted its Evening of Joy at St. Joseph's Boys High School, Bangalore, on the 19th June 2026, bringing together donors, scholars, mentors, volunteers, and partners to celebrate the collective impact of its programs. A key highlight of the evening was a Fireside Chat featuring FFE CEO Mr. Ram Kolavennu, moderated by Mr. Mani Iyer, Operations Lead, Joy Thomas Foundation.

Mr. Ram reflected on the journey of the FFE–JTF partnership, the unique strengths of FFE's holistic scholarship model, and the transformative outcomes achieved through years of collaboration. The discussion also highlighted JTF's invaluable contributions through mentoring, internships, webinars, and career guidance, demonstrating how the partnership has empowered scholars to succeed both academically and professionally. The event also celebrated the Loyola Technology Center (LTC) STEM Lab at St. Joseph's Boys High School, whose programs are nurturing the next generation of STEM students across urban and rural Karnataka. The evening concluded with the presentation of the 2025 Joy Thomas Prize and a shared celebration of the lives transformed through the continued commitment of both organizations and their supporters.

Ahead of the event, on 18 June 2026, Mrs. Maya Srinivasan, a Joy Thomas Foundation member who works closely with FFE on JTF webinars and internship initiatives for JTF scholars, visited the FFE office. During the meeting, the FFE team shared updates on its programs and the progress of the FFE–JTF partnership, while both teams reflected on the meaningful impact being created through their collaboration in empowering scholars.

Joy Thomas Foundation's Evening of Joy celebrates partnership, purpose, and impact.

FFE Annual Retreat 2026: Celebrating Connections, Creativity, and Community

8–11 June 2026 · Offline

From 8–11 June 2026, the FFE team came together in Bengaluru for the much-anticipated Annual Retreat 2026 — four memorable days dedicated to connection, reflection, well-being, and celebration.

The retreat provided a valuable opportunity for colleagues across teams to step away from their daily routines, strengthen relationships, and recharge while celebrating the collective impact we continue to create for our scholars.

The program featured a diverse mix of wellness, creativity, team-building, and recognition activities. Team members participated in a calming Sound Healing Session, explored self-reflection and expressed their creativity during a vibrant ArtDelight Sip & Paint Workshop. An energetic Dance Session brought everyone together through movement, laughter, and shared enthusiasm.

One of the highlights of the retreat was the Childhood Photo Challenge, where team members attempted to match colleagues with their childhood photographs — leading to plenty of surprises and memorable conversations.

The Games & Awards Night on 9 June combined fun team activities with a special recognition ceremony, celebrating the contributions and achievements of colleagues over the past year. Informal networking opportunities over meals and social gatherings throughout the retreat further strengthened bonds across the organization.

As the retreat concluded, the FFE team returned with renewed energy, stronger connections, and a shared sense of purpose. More than just an annual gathering, the retreat served as a reminder of the collaborative culture, care, and commitment that continue to define FFE's journey.

Here's to another year of learning, growth, and transforming lives together!

Bringing the FFE Family Together: Highlights from FFE's First Virtual Open House

25 June 2026 · Online

On 25 June, FFE hosted its 2026 Virtual Open House for its latest cohort of scholars, the first in this year's series of Annual Open House sessions.

The highlight of the event was an engaging keynote address by Mr. Ravi Rangaraju, Director – Regional HR at Thomson Reuters, who delivered a thought-provoking session titled "What AI did not teach me!". Exploring the uniquely human qualities that continue to matter in an AI-driven world, he encouraged students to cultivate skills such as resilience, creativity and empathy. The session struck a chord with the audience and sparked a lively Q&A, with students asking a wide range of insightful questions that reflected their curiosity and eagerness to learn.

FFE's CEO, Mr. Ram Kolavennu, also addressed the gathering, warmly welcoming the new scholars and congratulating them on their achievement. He spoke about the opportunities that lie ahead and encouraged students to make the most of the FFE community, resources and network throughout their academic journey.

The session also introduced scholars to FFE's Beyond Scholarship initiatives, showcasing the wide range of programs available to support their holistic development, including mentoring, career guidance, skill-building workshops, internships and networking opportunities. In addition, students received detailed information about scholarship processes and had the opportunity to clarify their scholarship-related queries.

Open House 1 set an inspiring tone for the journey ahead, equipping FFE's latest scholars with valuable insights and a clear understanding of the many opportunities available to help them succeed both academically and professionally.

FFE's Mentorship Program — FY 2025–26 Wrap-up

FFE's Mentorship Program for FY 2025–26 concluded in March 2026, marking another successful cycle of meaningful mentor–mentee engagement. During this cycle, over 2,500 (BE/BTech) Scholars were guided by professionals from more than 100 corporate partners.

To express our gratitude to our corporate partners and their employee volunteers for completing another successful year in FFE's mentorship program, FFE conducted 21 Mentorship Closure Sessions across April-June 2026. These sessions were held at partner offices in Bengaluru for Google, Synopsys (India) Pvt. Ltd., H&M Services Private Limited & 3M India Limited, whereas Keysight Technologies India Private Limited closure session was held in its Delhi office & Lennox India Technology Centre in its Chennai office. Virtual sessions were organized for Cimpress India Private Limited, Danfoss India, KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP, Cognizant Technology Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., Goodrich Aerospace Services Private Limited, Thomson Reuters International Services Pvt. Ltd., S&P Capital Iq India Pvt. Ltd., Akamai Technologies, Inc., Omnicon Global Solutions, HDFC, Dell Technologies Inc, Microsoft GDC, Microsoft IDC, o9 Solutions Management India Private Limited, Reliance Industries Limited, Hexagon, Wabtec India Industrial Private Limited, Wipro Foundation, Global Logic India Private Limited, Firstsource Solutions Limited, and TransUnion CIBIL.

Closure sessions for 3M, OGS, NetApp, and the Law Mentorship Program had already been completed in the previous quarter, while several additional corporate partner sessions were concluded during this quarter. Below are a few highlights from the recent closure sessions.

Overall, FFE conducted 26 closure sessions for the FY 2025–26 Mentorship Program, bringing the cycle to a meaningful close and further strengthening engagement with our valued corporate partners.

Mentorship Program Completion Session – Google, Bengaluru

17 April 2026 · Offline

The FFE-Google Mentorship Program Closure Session marked the successful completion of the second mentoring cycle between FFE and Google.

This cycle saw 28 Google employee volunteers enrol as mentors and participate, achieving an outstanding 90% programme completion rate. A special highlight was the opportunity for two mentees to visit the Google Bengaluru office, including a surprise in-person interaction between the mentee and her mentor (Scholar – Nishmitha K G Ganapayya, Mentor – Nancy J, Senior Technical Program Manager at Google), making the experience especially memorable and meaningful.

Virtual Mentorship Program Completion Session – Microsoft

17 April 2026 · Online

The Microsoft Mentoring Program Closure Session marked the successful completion of the fifth year of the mentoring partnership between FFE and Microsoft.

This year, 136 Microsoft employee volunteers enrolled as mentors to FFE mentees; 101 mentor-mentee pairs successfully completed the mentoring journey. Additionally, during Microsoft Giving Month, 110 mentors extended their voluntary support to more than 200 students, offering valuable guidance and mentoring on both technical and soft skills.

A key highlight of the partnership is the continued commitment of recurring mentors who return each year, building meaningful and lasting relationships with their mentees and contributing significantly to their growth and confidence.

Focused Group Discussions as part of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

16 April 2026 · Online

As part of our Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) efforts, FFE conducted its first Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with corporate program coordinators whose employees participated in the mentorship program. Representatives from Lennox, 3M, Cimpress, Annalect, Synopsys, and Guidewire took part in the discussion.

The session provided valuable insights into the impact of the mentoring program. Partners highlighted the positive experience for both scholars and mentors, with several mentors already expressing interest in volunteering for the subsequent mentoring cycle.

FFE received constructive feedback to further strengthen program delivery and corporate engagement. Overall, the session was highly productive and will help shape a more impactful mentoring experience in the coming year.

FFE-Mentorship Program 26-27 Initiation

FFE has initiated the Mentorship Program 26-27 for its 3rd year engineering scholars, for which the registration window is open until 15th July 2025. The mobilization, orientation and registration process for the program is ongoing. This year, 3,435 third-year engineering students are eligible for the program, with 1,430 students registered so far — and counting! To ensure both our scholars and volunteers are fully equipped to maximize this opportunity, the FFE team has already conducted 15 comprehensive mentee orientations alongside 18 dedicated mentor orientation sessions to seamlessly onboard everyone involved — the onboarding process is still ongoing. FFE has received 2,167 volunteer nominations across a dynamic mix of recurring and new corporate partners, with 1,084 mentors registered to date. FFE is excited and looking forward to maximum student enrollment for this very engaging and impactful mentoring program.

Mentorship Program Testimonial — Devarshi Balu (Mentee)

What I truly appreciated about the mentoring program was the overall structure, the flexibility in scheduling sessions, and most importantly, the comfort I felt with my mentor, Deepthi Ma'am. She created a space where I could be completely myself, without any hesitation or barriers. What stood out the most was how she went beyond the curriculum and shared insights from her own life experiences, making every session deeply relatable and impactful.

One of the biggest outcomes of this mentorship was when I applied these learnings in a real-life situation with my peers. We were faced with a complex academic issue, and I found myself naturally using the problem-solving approach my mentor had taught me — defining the problem clearly, identifying stakeholders, focusing on solutions, and most importantly, backing everything with data. Over the course of a few days, we were able to successfully resolve the issue with our faculty.

This experience made me realize how powerful the mentorship has been in shaping my thinking and approach. I'm truly grateful to Deepthi Ma'am and the FFE team for such a meaningful and transformative journey.

Mentorship Program Testimonial — Deepthi Karingattil (Mentor)

My experience with the FFE Mentoring Program has been incredibly fulfilling, especially having the opportunity to mentor Devarshi. He was very proactive, which made our interactions highly engaging and productive. He consistently came prepared for sessions, completed his pre-session assignments on time, and stayed connected even beyond our scheduled discussions.

What stood out to me was his openness to learning and his receptiveness to feedback. Over time, I could clearly see a significant improvement in his approach, confidence, and overall development. At the same time, this experience was equally enriching for me as I learned a great deal from Devarshi, particularly in understanding perspectives from a younger generation.

This program, when truly leveraged, creates meaningful value for both mentor and mentee. I am very grateful to have been part of this journey and to have mentored someone like Devarshi, who I strongly believe has a bright and promising future ahead.

Skills Development Program Overview

FFE's comprehensive skilling initiative continues to strengthen scholar readiness for the professional world by building strong communication, technical, aspirational and job-readiness skills.

During this quarter, 2,432 second-year BE scholars completed the English Helper programme supported by Capgemini; 65 Law Scholars are currently enrolled in the English Helper programme. 1,103 third-year scholars completed the Hi Touch advanced English programme backed by MSDF; and 85 final-year scholars undertook placement-focused communication training supported by Lenovo. FFE also launched a pilot advanced English programme in partnership with Orbit Skilling for 50, 3rd year engineering scholars to strengthen real-world communication, placement preparations and learner confidence.

A total of 5,259 first-year scholars, supported by MSDF, have commenced their AMCAT Baseline Assessment to evaluate and strengthen their aptitude, communication, logical reasoning, and data interpretation skills. Additionally, the first phase of 1,800 scholars, supported by Capgemini, are undertaking the Midline AMCAT Assessment, while 3,387 final-year scholars, supported by MSDF, are taking the Endline AMCAT Assessment as part of their employability development journey.

Across technical and aspirational programmes, 253 scholars enrolled in courses on NPTEL in the Jan-Apr semester, 420 scholars are progressing in the LearnTube technical skilling programme, and 6,000+ scholars are enrolled for AI courses offered by OpenAI Academy, while 2,100+ third-year scholars are enrolled in industry-relevant technical programmes on Coursera for FY25-26.

FFE is launching structured AI learning pathways to help scholars build AI literacy and practical skills through free, self-paced courses offered by Anthropic Academy. All scholars will get access to foundational courses on AI fluency and effective use of Claude. The courses include certificates and are designed to equip scholars with industry-relevant AI skills for future academic and career success.

Job-readiness initiatives scaled significantly, with 1,581 second-year engineering scholars enrolling in the aptitude training programme for improving logical reasoning and quantitative analysis skills, while 3,396 third-year scholars completed the Mock Interview sessions, both supported by MSDF.

FFE in collaboration with Avanti Fellows is launching Launchpad, a peer-led, on-campus support initiative for First Generation Learners. The program received an enthusiastic response, with 307 current first, second and third year scholars expressing interest. Based on their responses, interested scholars will receive a call from an Avanti counselor to learn more about the program and explore how Launchpad can support their growth and success.

Leadership and wellbeing programmes engaged 1,075 scholars through the "Finding the Leader in You" workshop, 2,356 scholars through structured wellness sessions, and more than 300 scholars, across three cohorts, through the Aspire Leaders Program led by Harvard University. In January 2026, Cohort 4 of the Aspire Leaders Program commenced, further strengthening scholars' development as skilled, confident and resilient professionals.

98 medical students are part of the QMED Literature Search Program, a year-long program started in December 2025. The QMed Program offers skills for online search in the medical and allied health domains. 165 medical students are part of the EAGE English Training Program to strengthen their English reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills. The program combines self-paced learning with weekly trainer-led sessions, requiring approximately 40 hours of learning over 6 months.

Java Programming Essentials Webinar

17 April 2026 · Online

On 17th April, FFE conducted a technical webinar, "Java Programming Essentials," led by SAP professionals Sikta Laha (Developer Associate, SAP) and Diksha Makkar (Software Developer, SAP). The session covered Java fundamentals, OOP concepts, and career guidance for Java, DSA, and full-stack development. Nearly 200 scholars attended, and an interactive Q&A helped participants address their interview preparation queries.

Cloud Computing Webinar with SAP Labs

24 April 2026 · Online

On 24th April, FFE conducted a webinar on Cloud Computing led by SAP professionals Bitan Mukherjee (Basis DevOps Engineer, SAP Labs) and Shree Prakash Gupta (Senior DevOps Engineer, SAP Labs). The session covered cloud computing concepts, real-world system design, and career opportunities in the cloud domain. Around 200 scholars attended, and the webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session.

Cloud Computing Fundamentals Webinar with Cognizant

3 June 2026 · Online

On 3rd June, FFE conducted a "Cloud Computing Fundamentals" webinar led by Rahul Keshari, Data Engineer at Cognizant. The session covered core cloud concepts, cloud service models, AWS, and career insights in cloud computing. Over 500 scholars attended and actively participated. The webinar concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing scholars to clarify their doubts and gain deeper insights into the topic.

Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST) Communication Skill Program launched by Eage

3 May 2026 · Online

On 3rd May 2026, an orientation session for the FFE-RIST Communication Skills Program was conducted for FFE-RIST Medical scholars. More than 165 first year MBBS scholars expressed interest in the program, which is designed to strengthen English reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills, helping participants build confidence for academics, careers, and everyday communication.

The program combines self-paced learning with weekly trainer-led sessions and requires a total learning commitment of approximately 40 hours over a period of 4–6 months.

Medical Webinar: "Choosing Occupational Health as a Career"

12 April 2026 · Online

On 12th April, FFE hosted a medical webinar "Choosing Occupational Health as a Career" by Dr. Rajgopal Thirumalai (MD, DPH, DIH, DNB – Health and Hospital Administration, FRCP(I), FFOM (London), FFOM (I), FIAOH, FIPHA). Dr. Rajgopal is an Adjunct Faculty at the Public Health Foundation of India, an Independent Director at HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd., and a Governing Board Member of the National Safety Council (India). He shared valuable insights on occupational career growth in multinational companies, employee benefits, and mental well-being in the workplace. More than 250 Medical scholars joined the session, which concluded with an interactive Q&A.

Financial Literacy Webinar Series – Session 4

29 April 2026 · Online

On 29th April, FFE conducted the 4th session of its Financial Literacy Webinar Series, aimed at equipping scholars with essential money management skills. The session was led by Ms. Preeti Chauhan, Personal Finance Expert, who simplified key concepts and encouraged meaningful discussions. Scholars explored practical topics including income planning, smart spending, savings and investments, insurance, and debt management.

Mock Interview Testimonial — Supriya R

I am Supriya R, a B.E. Electronics and Communication Engineering student at Anna University, Madras Institute of Technology Campus. I am grateful to FFE for the opportunity to participate in the Mock Technical and Personality Interview Program.

The program provided valuable exposure to a real interview environment and helped me better understand recruiter expectations. It improved my confidence, communication skills, and interview preparedness, while also highlighting areas for improvement in my technical and problem-solving abilities.

The feedback and practical experience have helped me feel more confident and prepared for future placement opportunities. I sincerely thank FFE for organizing such impactful initiatives and supporting students in their career development.

Finding the Leader in You — Gayatri Jadhav

My name is Gayatri Jadhav, and I am a second-year B.Tech Computer Science Engineering student at Government College of Engineering, Amaravati. I recently completed the FLY (Finding the Leader in You) Program.

The program provided valuable learning in leadership, communication, teamwork, and career readiness. Through interactive sessions and mentor guidance, I improved my confidence, communication skills, and career awareness.

The experience helped me identify my strengths and motivated me to work towards my academic and professional goals. I would highly recommend the FLY Program to fellow FFE scholars, as it offers meaningful learning beyond academics.

I sincerely thank the FFE team and mentors for their support and guidance throughout this journey.

Strengthening Employment Linkages for Future-Ready Engineers

FFE is committed to making its engineering scholars job-ready by partnering with corporates for internships, training, and hiring, creating lasting opportunities, bridging India's skills gap, and building a future-ready workforce.

In 2025 and early 2026, FFE's partnerships with companies including Wabtec, NetApp, Zscaler, Thomson Reuters, 3M India, Lenovo, Akamai, 7 Procure, Data Hash, SAP, Global Logic and Amazon have enabled scholars to thrive as interns and entry-level professionals, gaining critical hands-on experience.

FFE remains committed to bridging the education-to-employment gap by expanding partnerships and co-creating impactful initiatives with its corporate partners through internship opportunities and job opportunities. We seek support from corporates to join us in creating meaningful opportunities and shaping a future-ready workforce.

Internship — Parimala Sri Sikhakolli

I am Parimala Sri Sikhakolli, an FFE scholar and a graduate of Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam. Through FFE's Employment Linkages referral, I secured an internship opportunity at 3M.

The selection process included a project discussion session, a technical interview, and an HR round, with a strong focus on SQL and data-related concepts. Since joining 3M, I have participated in leadership and knowledge transfer sessions that provided valuable insights into the company's culture, innovation, and business processes.

Currently, I am working with the Data Integration team, gaining hands-on experience on real-world data projects. The learning environment has been highly supportive and enriching. I am grateful to FFE and 3M for this valuable opportunity and the exposure it has provided.

Global Virtual Summer Research Internship 2026

The 2026 Virtual Research Internship cohort brings together 21 professors from leading institutions, including Carnegie Mellon University, Princeton University, New York University, IIT Madras, Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, USC Marshall School of Business, UBC Sauder School of Business, and the universities of Michigan, Maryland, and Oregon. FFE's Scholars will work on research projects spanning AI and Machine Learning, Systems and Networking, Data Science and Analytics, Operations and Decision Sciences, and other applied domains. Close to 420 students applied for these internships, of these, 21 were selected. The internship is a two-month virtual summer program that commenced in June 2026.

Voice of Scholars: A Future Doctor with a Heart for Service

Konica Nongmaithem is a Final Year MBBS student (Semester 9) at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur. An academically accomplished student, she secured an impressive NEET rank of 11,758 and scored 91.5% in Class 10 and 93% in Class 12.

Konica comes from a modest family background from Imphal. Her father runs a small grocery shop, while her mother is a homemaker. Despite financial challenges, she credits her parents for their support and sacrifices, which have enabled her and her siblings to pursue their education and aspirations.

Driven by a strong desire to serve others, Konica's ambition is to become a compassionate and skilled doctor. She draws inspiration from Helen Keller, whose resilience, determination, and ability to overcome adversity have left a lasting impact on her. Konica admires Helen Keller's refusal to give up despite significant challenges and considers her a role model for perseverance and strength.

Recognizing the importance of effective communication in the medical profession, Konica has proactively worked on strengthening this skill. With additional support from her donor, she successfully completed two rounds of the Hi-Touch English Training Program under FFE's Skills Training Program initiatives. Her commitment to improving her communication abilities reflects her determination to become a well-rounded doctor, as she believes that strong communication skills are essential for building trust, understanding patients' needs, and providing compassionate care. Looking ahead, Konica hopes to give back to society through her profession by providing free medical services to those in need whenever possible. She also aspires to support underprivileged students through educational assistance and donations, helping them build brighter futures.

Konica describes herself as compassionate, resilient, and eager to learn. Beyond academics, Konica enjoys reading novels, listening to music, watching television shows and movies, and expressing her creativity through writing poems and short stories. Her journey reflects determination, gratitude, and a deep commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Donor Feature: Prof. Sampath & Mrs. Nandini Rajagopalan

Education changed the course of both our lives — it truly was our passport to success. And as university professors, we've had a front-row seat to that transformation play out again and again in our students' lives, which has only deepened our conviction that education is the best gift.

But we've also come to appreciate something else: talent and hard work are evenly distributed, access is not. Students from underprivileged backgrounds often have the ambition to go just as far as anyone else but lack the networks that better-off families take for granted — the internship connection, the casual introduction that opens a door. So, beyond our financial support, we actively connect FFE with our own contacts for internships, webinars, virtual internship supervision by professors at leading universities in North America, and introductions to leading academic institutions in India.

What gives us the most satisfaction is the direct interaction — mentoring students, watching their confidence and skills grow, and seeing them go on to succeed. We chose to partner with FFE because their focused and impactful vision is perfectly aligned with how we want to make a difference. The scale of FFE's impact is evident in the innumerable lives they have transformed. We are honored to join them in this journey for years to come.

Alumni Feature: Bhavya Anant Hegde, L&T Technology Services, Philadelphia, United States

"I come from a humble farming family in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada. Pursuing an engineering degree was a dream, but it would have been difficult without financial support. The Foundation For Excellence (FFE) scholarship gave me the opportunity to pursue that dream with confidence."

Bhavya Hegde, an FFE alumnus, completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Bengaluru (2010–2014). Introduced to FFE through Vidyaposhak, he received scholarship support throughout his four years of engineering, enabling him to focus on his education without the burden of financial constraints.

"FFE's support went beyond financial assistance. It gave me the confidence to stay focused on my goals, strive for excellence, and believe in my potential. The encouragement I received during those years laid the foundation for the career I have today."

Today, Bhavya is a Lead Engineer at L&T Technology Services (LTTS) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. While his professional journey has taken him across the world, his connection with FFE remains strong. Every year, he contributes to the scholarship program, helping another deserving student access the same opportunity that transformed his own life.

Reflecting on his journey, Bhavya says, "Giving back is my way of expressing gratitude. I hope every student who receives an FFE scholarship goes on to fulfil their dreams and, one day, extends the same support to someone else."

He also encourages fellow alumni to stay connected through the FFE Circle, believing that mentorship, volunteering, networking, and philanthropy can collectively shape the future of thousands of talented students.

"Together, we can create opportunities for future generations and continue the legacy of empowering deserving students through education. Thank you, FFE, for believing in me and changing the course of my life."