On 19th March 2025, in association with Young Indian, GRV BMA hosted an inspiring session focused on "Design Thinking and Innovation". The speaker for the day was Amal Koshy, Head of Design at Prar. Prior, whose expertise and passion for creative problem solving set an engaging tone for the event. The key themes and discussion points were:

• Understanding Design Thinking: Amal began by demystifying the concept of design thinking, emphasizing its core philosophy: a human-centered approach to innovation. He outlined how design thinking is not just a methodology, but a mindset that encourages empathy, iterative learning, and a willingness to embrace failure as part of the learning process. A significant portion of the talk was devoted to a detailed, step-by-step approach that can be integrated into educational settings to enhance problem solving and critical thinking.
• Empathize: Emphasize understanding the end user or the problem's stakeholders through observation and interviews. Amal illustrated how this step creates the foundation for truly user-centric solutions.
• Define: Encourage students to articulate the problem in clear, actionable terms. By defining the challenge, they are better positioned to explore viable solutions.
• Ideate: Promote creative brainstorming sessions where no idea is too far-fetched. This phase is critical for generating a broad spectrum of potential solutions.
• Prototype: Teach the importance of building tangible models or simulations. Prototyping allows students to visualize their ideas and refine them through iterative feedback.
• Test: Highlight the need for rigorous testing and willingness to revise ideas based on real-world feedback. This iterative process helps in honing solutions until they effectively address the identified problem.

Amal stressed that design thinking, when coupled with critical thinking, empowers students to break down complex problems into manageable parts. This dual approach not only enhances their creative capacities but also cultivates a structured method for tackling challenges. His emphasis on questioning assumptions and continuously iterating on solutions resonated strongly with the audience.

Amal Koshy's presentation at GRV BMA was a compelling reminder of the transformative power of design thinking. By providing a clear, step-by-step framework for integrating creative problem solving into everyday learning, he not only underscored the value of innovation in education but also inspired educators and students alike to embrace a mindset of continuous improvement. This session stands as a testament to how design thinking can be a powerful catalyst for change, equipping the next generation with the tools to navigate and solve real-world challenges.