Become a Community Problem Solver at GIC Paundha

Date11 August 2026

VenueGovernment Inter College, Paundha, Dehradun

Organised byRunway Incubator with the Social Outreach Department, UPES

Participants155 students, Classes 9 to 12

About

Runway Incubator, in association with the Social Outreach Department of UPES, held a social outreach programme at Government Inter College, Paundha, Dehradun, on 11 August 2026 under the theme “Become a Community Problem Solver”. It aimed to build an entrepreneurial mindset in school students by encouraging them to see everyday community problems as opportunities for innovation.

The 155 students from Classes 9 to 12 were divided into teams, and each team was given a community problem: smart waste management, safe roads and traffic around the school, water conservation and smart water use, better market access for farmers, and learning beyond the classroom. Each team brainstormed solutions, discussed whether they would work and chose the most practical idea to present.

Six students from Classes 9 to 12 then presented their teams' ideas to the group, showing how a problem they see every day can become the starting point for a start-up.

Impact

Entrepreneurial thinking taken into a government school, beyond the university campus.

155students, Classes 9 to 12

5community problems tackled

6student presentations

Students were introduced to entrepreneurial and design thinking at an early stage.
They moved from identifying problems to designing practical solutions.
Teamwork and presentation built confidence in public speaking.
The programme strengthened links between UPES and government schools, extending mentoring beyond the campus.

Photographs

Students and teachers of GIC Paundha with the UPES team in the school grounds — Students of GIC Paundha with the UPES team.

A student addresses classmates seated on the floor of the school hall — A student presents her team’s idea.

Two students present to classmates in the school hall — Teams present their solutions.

Student presenters stand with teachers and the UPES team — The student presenters with teachers and the UPES team.

Source

This page is compiled from material shared by the organising unit of UPES, as the event was not published online. Personal contact details are not included.