Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day and 2nd Convocation Ceremony at FUEL SkillTech University in Bhugaon, Pune, in the presence of Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Governor of Tamil Nadu. The event marked a significant milestone in FUEL’s journey of promoting education, skill development and youth empowerment, while highlighting the inauguration of FUEL SkillTech University and its focus on industry-linked, employment-oriented higher education.
FUEL SkillTech University to Focus on Industry-Ready Skills and Entrepreneurship
The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Ketan Deshpande, Founding Vice-Chancellor of FUEL SkillTech University and Chairman of FUEL, in the presence of Smt. Sulabha Deshpande, Chancellor of the University. Guests of Honour included Ganesh Mohan of Bajaj, Pratyush Mehrotra of SBI Foundation and Ranajagjitsinha Patil, Vice Chairman of MITRA.
Founded in 2007, FUEL has worked to improve access to education and skill development for young people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The convocation recognised graduates from the Postgraduate Management Batch of 2024–26, along with students who completed certification courses supported by corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Rajendra Arlekar highlighted the importance of combining academic education with practical skills, industry collaboration and entrepreneurship. He said FUEL’s model could serve as an example for educational institutions and states seeking to prepare young people for the changing world of work.
Emphasising the need to move beyond a degree-focused education system, the Governor said India should encourage young people to become job creators rather than merely job seekers.
Corporate Partnerships to Strengthen Skill Development
Established under Maharashtra Act No. 23 of 2026 and approved by the Government of Maharashtra, FUEL SkillTech University aims to advance skill-based and entrepreneurship-driven higher education.
FUEL is expanding its corporate partnerships to create opportunities for students and build a workforce equipped for emerging industries. Its ongoing initiatives include a programme with SBI Foundation to skill 2,000 young people, a Digital Academy supported by Capgemini and a campus laboratory supported by Syngenta.
The University is also developing Schools of Finance and Logistics in collaboration with industry partners. Discussions with Allcargo Group are underway to establish a School of Logistics, with Chairman Shashi Kiran Shetty expressing his intention to sign a memorandum of understanding with FUEL. The institution is also working on programmes focused on Global Capability Centres (GCCs), emerging technologies, green skills, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and entrepreneurship.
As India strengthens its position as a major destination for Global Capability Centres, FUEL aims to connect young, first-generation learners with corporate employers through its ‘Impact Hiring’ initiative. The initiative seeks to create a talent pipeline that supports industry requirements while expanding access to employment for students from underserved backgrounds.
FUEL Invites Industry to Establish Schools and Centres of Excellence
FUEL has invited corporates, foundations and philanthropists to partner with the University by adopting academic Schools, establishing Centres of Excellence, creating endowments and sponsoring deserving students.
The proposed institutions will focus on areas such as finance, logistics, emerging technologies, green skills, AI and entrepreneurship. The model builds on the establishment of the Dr. Yusuf Hamied School of Science, adopted by Padma Bhushan awardee and Cipla Chairman Dr. Yusuf Hamied.
FUEL’s philanthropy-and-endowment model, supported by its listing on the NSE Social Stock Exchange, is intended to make education and skill development more accessible to students from underserved communities. A roundtable discussion during the event brought together the Governor, corporate representatives and industry leaders to discuss industry–academia collaboration, GCC talent requirements and opportunities to develop specialised academic institutions.
FUEL Reports Impact on One Million Young People
According to the organisation, FUEL has benefited around one million young individuals since 2007, provided education to 2.93 lakh students and awarded 2,907 scholarships. It also reports a placement ratio of 90%, with more than 75% of its students coming from first-generation learner backgrounds.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ketan Deshpande said the University would build on FUEL’s experience to expand opportunities in skill development, employability and entrepreneurship. He called on industry partners to collaborate with the institution in preparing skilled talent for India’s growing economy.
The celebrations marked both FUEL’s nearly two-decade journey and its next phase of growth, with FUEL SkillTech University seeking to bridge the gap between education and employment through industry partnerships, practical learning and entrepreneurship-focused programmes.
