Meet Dubai student who launched AI website to help unprivileged with college applications
A Year 13 student from a Dubai school has created an AI-powered platform designed to support underprivileged students through the complex and often daunting college application process.
This new student-led innovation is aiming to bridge educational inequality using cutting-edge technology.
Garv Lamba, who was recently accepted into the University of California, San Diego to study artificial intelligence, came up with the idea after his own challenges during the university application process. Although he had access to school counsellors and professional consultants, Garv realised that many students worldwide lack this support.
Reflecting on his own experience, Garv shared, 'I felt a bit lost last year while going through the college applications. You need to research each college you are applying for, you need to gather data and improve your portfolio."
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
As a student at Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail, he had the advantage of guidance from school counsellors and an educational consultancy called UniHawk. However, Garv quickly realised that not every student has this privilege.
From this realisation, Garv and his team developed a website that acts as a 'digital counsellor,' powered by AI and natural language models. The https://college-compass.pages.dev/ platform mimics the role of a real-life college advisor, asking students about their academic interests, personal background, and career goals. Based on this input, it generates a personalised portfolio and identifies areas where students can improve, whether through additional information or extracurricular activities.
'It gives you advise on what to do next and builds your portfolio in the background. So, it will put a spreadsheet of your interest and from that portfolio give the individual personalised guidance,' Garv explained. 'They look at you as an individual and identifies your strengths and weaknesses…that is something that AI can do pretty well which is why [we] utilise that idea.'
One key feature of this platform is its ability to suggest extracurricular activities that align with a student's strengths and longterm goals, helping them stand out to competitive universities. Additionally, it offers feedback on college essays — especially helpful for applicants targeting Ivy League or other top-tier institutions. Garv also emphasised that the website offers constructive comments to guide improvements.
'It's definitely an aid to educational counsellors but the main focus is on students who don't have access to such resources. It's not a complete replacement but it's a good alternative for those who need it," said the 18-year-old.
The platform was developed over the course of a year in collaboration with fellow students Ian Pannetier and Mahmoud Moursy. Among the app's innovative features is an 'Interviewer' tool that simulates college interview scenarios, and sections focused on identifying and addressing gaps in a student's academic or extracurricular profile.
Currently, the upcoming app operates as a website that offers tailored advice on essays and goal-setting. However, the team envisions a much broader platform in the future. 'We want to create an entire database with college information,' Garv said, adding that this will be in addition to tools for portfolio development.
Despite being in its early stages, the initiative has already received positive feedback.
'We've got good reviews from users in India, the United States, and other regions -- a testament to the global demand for accessible college guidance,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
16 minutes ago
- Zawya
Dubai Municipality celebrates World Hydrography Day and highlights its leading efforts to enhance maritime safety
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: In celebration of World Hydrography Day, Dubai Municipality organized an event titled 'Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Maritime Activities', aimed at highlighting the importance of hydrographic surveying in supporting infrastructure. It also showcased the Municipality's pioneering efforts in producing nautical charts and promoting sustainable use of marine resources in line with sustainable development goals. Dubai Municipality is a member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the event underscored its efforts in developing the hydrographic survey system, and its role in enhancing navigational safety and ensuring the sustainable use of marine environments. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Municipality's objectives of leveraging innovation to help create the best urban planning systems, while pursuing leadership and global competitiveness in hydrographic services. The Municipality also showcased its efforts in providing detailed data that supports marine survey services, including the production and updating of nautical charts in Dubai, enhancing maritime navigation safety, and protecting the environment. The event featured the latest programs, technologies, and best practices used in implementing marine projects, as well as supporting urban development plans for coastal areas and utilizing marine resources. Furthermore, Dubai Municipality is actively working to align with the strategic plan of the International Hydrographic Organization by participating in international activities and initiatives focused on knowledge-sharing and the sustainable use of seas and oceans, and by increasing the use of hydrographic data for the benefit of society. Dubai Municipality obtained membership in the International Hydrographic Organization in February 2023, becoming the first government entity in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East to receive this accreditation. This milestone has strengthened its position as a globally recognized hydrographic survey institution, particularly as the first government department in the country to offer world-class nautical charting services aimed at enhancing maritime safety in Dubai's coastal waters.
Khaleej Times
17 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Sunmarke students take centre stage as future changemakers at TEDxSunmarke 2025 and Think & Thrive Summit
Sunmarke School, one of Dubai's leading British curriculum institutions known for its innovation and character building ethos, has once again demonstrated the power of student voice through two landmark events held in June, the Think & Thrive Summit and TEDxSunmarke 2025. These extraordinary initiatives are key features of Sunmarke's Signature Programmes, which are designed to give students real-world experiences far beyond the classroom. Held on June 10, TEDxSunmarke 2025 delivered a dynamic showcase of student-led thought leadership under the theme 'Beyond the Surface'. Twelve articulate student speakers and one distinguished guest took to the TEDx stage, exploring themes ranging from personal ambition and mental health to climate action and hidden narratives of success. The talks resonated with raw authenticity and critical insight, reflecting the school's unwavering commitment to developing not just scholars, but confident changemakers prepared for the complexities of tomorrow. On June 3, Sunmarke hosted the Think & Thrive Summit, a dynamic event that brought industry leaders into direct conversation with students. More than a speaking event, Think & Thrive is a student-moderated conversation space where curiosity, aspiration, and mentorship converge. This year's line-up featured renowned personalities including Rasna Al Khamis, chief marketing officer at Emirates Nature–WWF, who shared her experience leading sustainability campaigns across the region; Lachlan Kitchen, seasoned radio host and deputy programme director at Talk 100.3 FM, who offered insights into the evolving world of media and live broadcasting; Maitha Alawadi, an award-winning Emirati scriptwriter and director who spoke on regional narratives and cultural storytelling; and Malika Singh, a celebrated Bollywood film producer, who discussed content creation at scale and the global influence of cinema. Their stories of triumph, creativity, and resilience served as a powerful career compass for Sunmarke's ambitious secondary students. These events are part of Sunmarke's acclaimed signature programmes, a suite of transformative initiatives encompassing STEAM & Design Thinking, AI Learning, Environmental Sustainability, Careers Development, Performing Arts and more. These programmes spark curiosity, build leadership, and develop the self-awareness students need to thrive in an ever-changing world. 'TEDxSunmarke & Think & Thrive Summit was a powerful reminder of what our students can achieve when given the stage, they inspired, challenged, and led with conviction. At Sunmarke, we see oracy as a cornerstone of confidence and leadership. Through signature programmes like TEDx and Think & Thrive, we're not just preparing students for exams, but empowering them to find their voice and shape the future," says Nicholas Rickford, Principal of Sunmarke School. Part of Fortes Education, Sunmarke School is rated 'Outstanding' by the British Schools Overseas Inspection Authority and 'Very Good' by the KHDA. It offers a breadth of post-16 pathways including A-Levels, the IB Diploma Programme, and BTEC qualifications. With over 260 after-school and extracurricular activities, top global university placements, and a purpose-built campus boasting state-of-the-art STEAM labs, media studios, and Olympic-standard facilities, Sunmarke remains at the forefront of educational excellence in the UAE. Sunmarke is ranked 68th globally among IB schools and 3rd in the UAE, a testament to its academic distinction and student outcomes. To learn more about Sunmarke School and its signature programmes, visit
Khaleej Times
17 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
LuLu launches new hypermarket in MBZ City, Abu Dhabi
LuLu Group has further strengthened its presence in the UAE with the launch of a new flagship hypermarket in Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) City, Abu Dhabi. Strategically located on Al Ruha Street, this state-of-the-art retail destination is set to cater to the growing residential community in MBZ City and the surrounding areas. The new hypermarket was officially inaugurated by Eng. Mohammed Abdullah Al Hosani, director of Zayed City Municipality Center, Musaffah – Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Yusuffali M A, chairman of LuLu Group, along with other senior officials and dignitaries. Spanning over 125,000 sq ft, the hypermarket offers a comprehensive shopping experience with modern amenities and dedicated sections, including LuLu Hypermarket, Fashion Store, and LuLu Connect. "We are delighted to open our latest hypermarket in MBZ City, offering a world-class shopping experience tailored to the diverse needs of this vibrant community. This is our 256th store in the GCC, and we are on track to open 18 new stores in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing our commitment to the UAE Vision 2030," said Yusuffali M A. In line with LuLu's commitment to supporting local industries, the new hypermarket features a robust selection of UAE-manufactured products, alongside an exclusive range of imported goods from more than 25 countries. The store also offers a wide variety of fashion apparel and accessories, household essentials, electronics, and more, making it a one-stop destination for the entire family. Also present at the inauguration were Saifee Rupawala, CEO of LuLu; Salim M A, global operations director; Salim VI, chief operating and strategy officer; Prasad K K, CFO; Aboobakker T, director of the Abu Dhabi region; and other dignitaries.
