At a time when India is placing increasing emphasis on employability and skill development, education leaders and social organisations are stepping up to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs. Among them, Dr Ketan Deshpande has emerged as a key figure working to empower young people through education, skill-building initiatives, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Over the past 18 years, Dr Deshpande has dedicated his efforts to supporting youth, particularly those from underserved backgrounds and first-generation learners. His approach goes beyond conventional education by focusing on equipping young individuals with practical skills, career guidance, and opportunities that enhance employability and self-reliance.
Born in Latur, Maharashtra, and educated in smaller cities such as Parbhani, Ahmednagar, and Bhusawal, he personally experienced the challenges faced by students in non-urban areas. Limited access to quality education and career counselling shaped his understanding of systemic gaps. Motivated by these early experiences, he founded Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL) in 2007, which has since grown into a nationwide initiative supporting youth development.
FUEL has made a significant impact across India by reaching more than one million young people through career counselling, scholarships, vocational training, and employment-linked education programmes. The organisation has also trained over 2.9 lakh youth in future-ready and vocational skills while providing scholarships to thousands of economically weaker students. These efforts aim to prepare youth for evolving job markets and emerging industries.
A key aspect of Dr Deshpande’s vision is the integration of modern technologies into education. He emphasizes the importance of equipping students with skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and digital technologies. According to him, traditional education alone is insufficient in today’s rapidly changing world, and youth must be trained in future-oriented skills to remain competitive globally.
In addition to education and skilling, Dr Deshpande has a strong focus on CSR and social impact. Holding a PhD in CSR, he works on strategies that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and measure the effectiveness of social investments. Through FUEL, he has collaborated with more than 78 companies and institutions, including major banks and global corporations, mobilising over USD 24 million for various social initiatives. These projects support education, digital learning, career guidance, and employment generation for youth.
The organisation’s impact has also extended beyond India, with programmes and collaborations in countries like Indonesia, Uganda, and Poland. Partnerships with global bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have further strengthened its approach by incorporating international best practices into local initiatives.
Dr Deshpande encourages young people to pursue purpose-driven careers rather than focusing solely on jobs. He advocates leadership values rooted in inclusivity, ethics, and social responsibility, believing that aligning personal success with societal development can lead to lasting positive change.
Looking ahead, he is working towards establishing the FUEL SkillTech & Entrepreneurship University. The proposed institution aims to combine future skills, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration into a unified education model that is closely linked to employment outcomes. With support from the Maharashtra government, the initiative is envisioned as a pioneering step toward creating a future-ready workforce in India.
Overall, Dr Ketan Deshpande’s work highlights the growing importance of integrating education, skills, and CSR to empower India’s youth and drive inclusive growth.
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