Upskilling for Tomorrow: How AI is Redefining Student Competitiveness – An Expert Session at GLS-FOC
Ahmedabad, An insightful and inspiring session for the First-Year students of GLS University’s Faculty of Commerce was conducted by CA Dr. Fenil Shah, Chairman of the Student Committee, AI in WIRC. He encouraged students to prepare for a rapidly evolving professional landscape by embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI), adopting a global outlook, and continuously upgrading their skills.
Welcoming the students to a new phase of their academic journey, Dr. Shah advised them to maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal life while making the most of the opportunities offered by the institution. Stressing that professional success extends far beyond earning a degree, he remarked that “a degree alone will not make you stand out; your skills, continuous learning, and ability to adapt to a global world will.”
Presenting a simple yet powerful framework for success, he explained that *GLS* itself could serve as a guiding philosophy— G for Globalization, L for Learning, and S for Skills. Encouraging students to think beyond geographical boundaries, he urged them to stay informed about global developments and understand how international trends influence finance and technology. Referring to the opportunities emerging through GIFT City, India’s International Financial Services Centre, and the Government’s vision of expanding Global Capability Centres (GCCs), CA. Shah explained that students today can build global careers while working from India. He also encouraged them to leverage the strong GLS alumni network spread across the world for mentorship and professional growth.
The most impactful segment of his address focused on Artificial Intelligence, which he described as a present-day reality rather than a future possibility. Addressing the common fear surrounding AI, he reassured students that technology itself is not the threat. “AI will not replace you; a person who knows AI will replace a person who doesn’t,” he remarked, urging every student to become AI-literate and future-ready.
Encouraging responsible and ethical use of technology, Dr. Shah advised students to “learn AI using AI” while ensuring that human intelligence remains at the centre of the learning process. He explained that students should first analyse a problem independently, generate their own ideas, and only then use AI to explore additional perspectives. “Learn AI using AI—but let your own thinking come first. Use technology to upgrade your intelligence, not to replace it,” he emphasized. According to him, such an approach strengthens creativity, critical thinking, and decision-making while allowing AI to serve as an enabler rather than a substitute for human intellect.
Dr. Shah further highlighted the significance of developing essential professional competencies such as communication, listening, negotiation, marketing, emotional intelligence, and time management. He observed that these life skills cannot be acquired from textbooks alone but are developed through participation, interaction, and real-life experiences. Encouraging students to make the most of campus life, he stated that “skills are not learnt by just reading books; they are developed by participating, experiencing, and stepping out of your comfort zone.”
Sharing his own journey from being an introverted student to becoming a confident public speaker and professional, Dr. Shah credited his transformation to active participation in college events, competitions, anchoring, and leadership opportunities. He urged students to involve themselves wholeheartedly in the diverse academic and co-curricular activities organised by GLS University, reminding them that meaningful learning takes place not only on the stage but also while observing, interacting, and learning as part of the audience.
Concluding his address, Dr. Shah encouraged students to remain curious, embrace emerging technologies with confidence, and continuously invest in self-improvement. He expressed confidence that students who combine academic knowledge with AI literacy, global awareness, and practical skills will be well-equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.
