Every year on October 15, India observes World Students’ Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India whose life continues to inspire generations of students to dream, learn and contribute to society.

For Kalam, education was closely connected with ambition, knowledge, innovation and the ability to create a better future. That vision remains relevant as students today prepare for careers shaped by technology, changing industries and new expectations from the workforce.

The connection between education and the world of work has never been more important. Students need opportunities to apply knowledge, develop practical skills and remain adaptable, while businesses need talent capable of learning, innovating and responding to change.

On World Students’ Day 2026, we spotlight five leaders whose careers and current work reflect this evolving connection between education, skills, employability and the future of work.

1. K. Krithivasan, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Consultancy Services

K. Krithivasan represents a career built through sustained progression, technology leadership and deep industry experience. His professional journey at Tata Consultancy Services spans more than three decades, giving him a distinctive perspective on how technology, talent and business have evolved together. He has participated in wider industry forums, serving as Co-Chair of the B20 Digital Transformation Taskforce in Brazil and as a member of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 

Career milestones

• Joined TCS in 1989 as an Assistant System Analyst
• Moved to North America in 1997 and became Regional Manager for TCS Florida
• Took charge of e-business delivery in 2000
• Led the BFSI Solution Centre
• Headed TCS’ Banking, Financial Services and Insurance business for more than 16 years
• Became CEO and Managing Director of TCS in June 2023
• Holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras
• Earned a master’s degree in Industrial and Management Engineering from IIT Kanpur

His journey is notable because it was built through multiple stages of technology delivery, customer management, consulting, sales and industry leadership rather than through a single conventional career path.

Expanding the Talent Pipeline Beyond Engineering

Krithivasan’s current approach to talent reflects a broader shift in how the technology industry looks at future professionals.

At the Tata Bharat YUVAi Hackathon during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, 1,800 students from Arts, Science and Commerce backgrounds built 1,500 working application prototypes in 90 minutes, despite having no prior coding experience.

Krithivasan said:

“India’s digital future depends on unlocking talent beyond engineering. The Tata YUVAi Hackathon marks a major step toward that vision.”

The initiative demonstrates how students from non-engineering backgrounds can also participate in technology creation when given access to the right tools, guidance and opportunities.

For businesses, this broadens the definition of future talent beyond traditional technical qualifications.