Opening doors: How one Indian student found her voice and is helping others find theirs
Rajani Kusumanjali’s childhood love of mathematics has taken her from a bachelor’s degree in computer science to a master’s degree in computer applications and, ultimately, a career in tech. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, she strengthened her technical skills and, most importantly, gained new confidence that she will carry into her new role as a systems engineer at one of India’s largest IT services companies.
I first fell in love with mathematics when I was 12. I enjoyed that it was challenging, and found the problem-solving and pattern-finding aspects intriguing. Over time, I came to understand that maths is more than just numbers and formulas. Rather, it’s a way of identifying hidden patterns and using them to solve meaningful problems.
Growing up in Visakhapatnam, a coastal city in the south-eastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, I mostly spoke our local language, Telugu. At 16, I switched to a school that taught only in English, which was a difficult adjustment. There also weren’t many girls around me who shared my passion for mathematics. But I didn’t let either obstacle discourage me. Instead, tackling these twin challenges taught me to persevere even when a situation felt intimidating and motivated me to chase my ambitions with greater determination.
After graduating, I enrolled at a local college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, physics and computer science, a journey that then led me to apply for a master’s degree in computer applications at the Vignan’s Institute of Information Technology—where I was introduced to Samsung Innovation Campus.
Beyond the textbooks
While my master’s degree was providing me with a strong foundation in programming and technical skills, I felt that this alone was not enough to meet the rapidly changing demands of the global technology sector. As someone who wanted to work in tech, I saw that companies were looking for more than academic knowledge, but also confident and creative problem-solvers. So, when Samsung Innovation Campus representatives visited my college, I recognised that the programme could help me bridge that gap with its well-rounded curriculum.
The six months I spent at Samsung Innovation Campus was transformative. The free programme covered artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and computer programming, all taught through a combination of structured sessions, practical activities, assignments and project work. As hoped, I learnt how to apply my technical knowledge beyond the classroom. In my capstone project, for example, I worked in a team of five to design an app to support millet farmers. When the farmers uploaded images of their crops, our deep learning algorithms would analyse the photos and detect signs of diseases, such as blast disease, downy mildew and leaf spot.
Developing Farmer’s Friend, as I fondly call the app, showed me that technology is not just about programming languages or theoretical concepts, but it can be a practical tool for solving problems that impact people’s lives. In this case, I gained an understanding of how AI can be applied to agriculture, a vital source of livelihood for many across India.
The experience also taught me how to work effectively in a team. As the project progressed, we got to know one another better, and I became more comfortable asking them questions and sharing my ideas. I realised that a successful project depends not only on individual technical skills, but also on collaboration and trust.
From self-doubt to self-belief
Of all the ways I grew during my time at Samsung Innovation Campus, the most significant was, undoubtedly, in my confidence. At the start of the programme, I was shy about public speaking, and often hesitated to take part in group discussions out of worry that my question might be too simple or that my answer might be wrong. But the instructors and mentors created such a supportive environment, constantly encouraging me to speak up more. Gradually, I became more comfortable sharing my ideas with others and today, I feel much more secure communicating with people and expressing my opinions.
This newfound confidence has already opened doors. After completing my master’s degree, I applied for a six-month internship at an IT services company within its big data stream. While the practical training I received through Samsung Innovation Campus helped me prepare for the technical assessment, the biggest difference came in the interview, where the self-assurance and communication skills I had developed enabled me to articulately showcase my strengths, and clearly and confidently explain my ideas.
Not only did I get accepted, the lessons I learnt from Samsung Innovation Campus also proved instrumental during the internship, where I was able to tackle problems step-by-step and connect technical concepts with practical solutions. These skills also helped me get my foot in the door in the tech world. Following my internship, I was delighted to be offered a full-time position as systems engineer at the company, which I’m due to start soon. But this is just the beginning: in the long term, I aim to progress into a software programming role.
Empowering the next generation
Samsung Innovation Campus helped me and other women see ourselves not only as students of technology, but also as future engineers, innovators and leaders. It was a life-changing experience, so much so that it inspired me to share what I have learnt to support others interested in technology.
I started close to home, teaching a few of my younger sister’s friends the programming language, Java. One of them even won a coding award at her college, which made me very proud. In the future, I want to continue advocating for young women through mentoring, conducting workshops, speaking at conferences and sharing my journey.
To those considering applying for Samsung Innovation Campus, my advice is simple: do it. Don’t let self-doubt stop you from trying. You don't need to know everything before joining the programme; you can learn and gradually build your skills along the way, and discover possibilities you may never have imagined.
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What is the Samsung Innovation Campus?
Samsung Innovation Campus is a global education program that helps youth build advanced IT skills and practical capabilities to create better opportunities. The program offers structured AI education suitable for the digital age, along with hands-on training, expert mentoring, and instruction in key future technologies like big data and IoT. Tailored programs are available for marginalized groups such as people with disabilities and women, to expand access to IT education.
Graduates pursue various career paths including IT employment, tech-driven startups, and social impact initiatives. Since its launch in 2013, more than 204,000 youth in 40 countries have joined the program, using technology to design their future and realize greater potential.