Hetal Nikunj Parikh, hailing from the small village of Lilapore in Valsad District, has been immersed in the world of education since her childhood. Growing up with a father who served as the chairperson of Valsad Sarvajanik Kelvni Mandal, she witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion of teachers and the determination of young students striving to achieve their dreams. Hetal Parikh, a passionate educationist, founded the renowned Institute of Infoquest Computer Academy and Akshar Education, with a mission to empower and excel the youth. She provides top-notch computer training and overseas education consultancy services.
Hetal pursued a degree in Industrial Electronics Engineering and made the bold decision to relocate from her small town to the bustling city of Ahmedabad, where she eventually married Nikunj Parikh, a successful businessman. Beginning her professional journey, she found her calling as a Computer Faculty at Aptech, where she honed her skills for a few years.
Founding ICA
With a deep-rooted passion for education, Hetal ventured into the field for the next 27 years, eventually establishing her own brainchild, ICA (Infoquest Computer Academy). Starting with a modest setup consisting of a single lab and a small cabin equipped with five computers. Hetal’s Institute has grown into a renowned institution in the field of computer training. Today, ICA stands tall with exceptional infrastructure and a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members.
Mission of Empowerment
At the core of ICA lies a powerful mission to educate, empower, and excel the youth of India, aiming to eradicate underemployment and unemployment in the country. Numerous students have enrolled in their professional courses and successfully secured placements at prestigious companies. Hetal firmly believes in nurturing the inherent talents of her students, preparing them to overcome the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives. Through rigorous training and unwavering motivational support, ICA empowers its students to apply their finest skills in all aspects of life.
ICA offers a wide range of computer training courses tailored to different individuals, including students, company executives, individual entrepreneurs, business professionals, and even homemakers. Additionally, the institute provides honorary mentoring to underprivileged children as part of Hetal’s involvement with the NGO Prayas Public Charitable Trust, specifically their initiative “Prayas Ek Koshish”. Under this program, ICA imparts computer education to underprivileged children. Hetal’s exceptional work and dedication to this cause were recognized by the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad, which featured her personal interview and the institute’s interaction with underprivileged students as a compelling case study of social contribution.
Venturing into Consultancy
After achieving significant success in the field of training and skill development, Hetal embarked on a new venture by establishing her own consultancy called Akshar Education, which focuses on empowering youth globally by facilitating opportunities for studying abroad. Located in Ahmedabad, this Foreign Education Consultancy is dedicated to empowering youth on a global scale.
Mission:
Simplifying the Path: A Transparent and Honest Approach to Fulfilling Student’s Study Abroad Dreams
Akshar Education’s mission is to eliminate complexities and ensure a straightforward and hassle-free process for both students and parents throughout their journey toward studying abroad. She is dedicated to providing guidance that is transparent, honest, and reliable. They understand that embarking on a study abroad adventure entails minimizing time and financial investment while maximizing the outcomes.
Vision:
Unleashing Potential: Nurturing Dynamic and Ambitious Students for Success in a Competitive World
Her vision is to provide the finest training and sharpen the skills of motivated and ambitious students who aspire to excel in a highly competitive global arena. They aim to unleash their inner talents and equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in an ever-changing world. By nurturing their potential, they strive to empower them to stand out and achieve success in their chosen paths.
Challenges
Balancing work and family life within a joint family setting was a formidable task, requiring careful navigation and constant effort. Additionally, the ever-evolving nature of the computer field posed a significant challenge, demanding continuous upgrades to keep my institute aligned with the latest trends in the industry. Juggling the responsibilities of running two businesses simultaneously was a constant source of stress, as life presented formidable challenges to test my ambitions.
The COVID-19 pandemic struck India hard, significantly disrupting the education system. Like many others, our institute faced tremendous difficulties, with operations coming to a near halt. While we attempted to transition to online classes, parents and students found themselves bewildered, trying to adapt to the sudden shift between traditional schools and institutes like ours. Akshar Education encountered its greatest challenges as parents grew frustrated with their children being stuck in foreign countries. The continuous ringing of phones echoed with desperate calls from worried parents, and I did my best to console both students and their families. Admissions were canceled due to panic and fear surrounding the pandemic.
Universities worldwide underwent substantial changes, closing early and altering their teaching methods in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. International student exchanges, including those enrolled in programs abroad, faced cancellations and travel restrictions. Financial and emotional support became vital, and I faced the daunting task of handling the concerns of affected parents and students, realizing that their careers were hanging in the balance.
During these uncertain times, arranging finances and providing assistance from India became a formidable challenge. The future seemed uncertain, and questions loomed large. However, amidst the turmoil, one thing became clear: digital technology emerged as a powerful tool for education. Streamlining our education model for the post-COVID period became the primary focus. Ensuring the best services for our students and clients through digital platforms became our top priority.
Throughout all these years I have ensured to contribute in the best possible financial and service terms towards society by our various means like:
1) Motivational support to skillful persons for their life enhancement
2) Fee concessions to the needy students
3) Free education to underprivileged children.
Recognition she received
1) High reputation of Infoquest Computer Academy as a trustworthy institute.
2) Appreciation from various sectors for their free education to underprivileged children
3) High recognition from IIM Ahmedabad in the form of her personal interview and work of her institute
Focus Online
Introducing Focus Online: Empowering Students Worldwide through EdTech
Hetal’s latest endeavor, Focus Online, is an innovative EdTech startup that she co-founded a few months ago. The primary objective of this venture is to provide educational services to students across the globe. EdTech, short for technology-aided education, lies at the core of its platform.
Focus Online offers a range of certified courses, including Mathematics, Computer Science, Vedic Math, and Teacher’s Training. By leveraging their platform, they aim to bridge the gap in education quality and accessibility, especially in remote areas. The Indian EdTech industry is leading the charge in taking India’s education system to international standards.
Recognizing the need for quality teachers and widespread access to education, the founders believe that EdTech is the key to achieving these goals. Their vision encompasses improving student outcomes, delivering personalized education, and relieving the teaching burden on instructors.
At Focus Online, classes are tailored to suit individual students, allowing them to learn at their own pace comfortably. By analyzing students’ previous learning patterns and performance, the platform provides personalized recommendations. The ultimate aim is to create equal opportunities for success and narrow the education quality divide between the affluent and the underprivileged.
Going beyond national boundaries, Focus Online aspires to collaborate with international universities and establish itself as a global education hub. Their objective is to provide students with an exceptional learning environment, attracting learners from abroad not only for affordability but also for delivering world-class educational content.
Hetal’s strong foundation in hard work, moral ethics, high principles, and a sense of social responsibility, instilled by her parents during her childhood, has been the guiding force behind her journey. Throughout her challenging 27-year path, she has received unwavering support and understanding from her husband and two children, which has played a vital role in sustaining the institute she has built.
