Guest Contributor
Since the initial days of his first year at Penn, fourth-year student Yash Dhir has been steadily working on an idea that came to him as he was studying remotely from his home in London during fall of 2020: how to enable students to structure their time outside of class with the same level of support they have inside of school.
Named Jochi, the idea has evolved into a web-based education-tech management platform for middle and high school students who have learning differences, like ADHD, to help them keep track of their school assignments and outside activities. Schools that license Jochi integrate the management tool into their system, giving access to educators so they can better provide the students support.
“I had learning differences in high school, and I had gone through a lot of obstacles to get to Penn,” Dhir says. “A lot of what we’re doing with Jochi, it’s really resonated with me.”
Dhir’s partner is fourth-year Rahul Nambiar, who is from Dubai. Both are in the School of Engineering and Applied Science: Dhir a systems science and engineering major, and Nambiar a computer science major, who is submatriculating for a master’s degree. They have been friends since they met on campus in January of 2021, during a pandemic-delayed student Move-In, both of them living in the Quad, Nambiar in Riepe and Dhir in Fisher. They were roommates in Harrison Hall their second year, and by the third year they were business partners.
Now the pair are recipients of the President’s Innovation Prize. They will receive $100,000 for Jochi, and a $50,000 living stipend each. In addition, Jochi will have a workplace in the Pennovation Center, Penn’s business incubator.
Awarded annually, the President’s Innovation Prize and President’s Engagement Prize empower Penn undergraduate students to design and undertake post-graduation projects that make a positive, lasting difference in the world. The Prizes are the largest of their kind in higher education.
“Inventors at their core, Yash Dhir and Rahul Nambiar identified a gap and a solution to support students with learning differences. They have used their creativity and determination to turn an ambitious vision into a very useful product,” says Interim President J. Larry Jameson. “While balancing the academic demands of college, they’ve imagined—and reimagined—Jochi, a project we are pleased to award this year’s President’s Innovation Prize.”
This story was written by Louisa Shepard. To read the full article, please visit Penn Today.