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FROM CLASSROOMS TO LIFE: Nokia launched an Innovation Lab at Christel House India. Three years later, several graduates work for the company, and the partnership has expanded to Mexico.

What began as a single visit to Christel House India has grown into a transformative global partnership that spans continents and creates life-changing opportunities for students and graduates at both Christel House India and Christel House Mexico. In 2022, Alberto Borghesi, Head of Operations and Innovation at Nokia in India, sought to make his team’s annual workshop more meaningful. Instead of another corporate retreat, he wanted to give his colleagues an experience that would “ignite a little flame.” That decision led to a visit to Christel House India and, as Borghesi describes it, “a professional moment that stays with me forever.”

“It was supposed to be a team-building day,” says Borghesi. “But it turned into something much deeper. That visit opened our eyes. We met children filled with dreams but limited by circumstance. We met teachers and staff who were not just educators, they were lifelines. We didn’t just leave with memories; we left with a commitment.” That commitment became a partnership grounded in purpose — one that connects Nokia’s technological expertise with Christel House’s mission to transform lives through education.

Building the Future, One Student at a Time

The starting point was the engagement of a Nokia local champion, Nivedita Anugula Sethupathy. Under Nivedita’s leadership, Nokia’s collaboration with Christel House India quickly developed in what we call the Nokia Ambassadors Volunteer team. Nokia’s team in Bangalore launched mentorship and internship programs for Christel House graduates, opened doors for professional careers, and introduced new ways for students to experience innovation firsthand. “At Christel House India, we truly value partners who go beyond support to walk with us in reimagining what’s possible for every child,” says Jaison C Mathew, CEO of Christel House India. “This partnership with Nokia has pushed the bar for what a strategic collaboration can look like — thoughtful, hands-on, and deeply committed.”

Together, Nokia and Christel House developed the FEE (Future Engineers Empowerment) program, a 42-hour STEM curriculum co-designed with the Nokia Learning Center that provides high school students with essential technical skills. In 2025, the partnership achieved another milestone: a fully equipped Innovation Lab on the Christel House India campus, allowing students to explore robotics, programming, and product development in a professional-grade environment. We are also about to sign an MoU to collaborate on product development,” adds Nivedita. “Students are not only learning, they are contributing to real-world tech.”

Real Stories, Real Impact

For Christel House India graduates, the partnership with Nokia represents more than a career opportunity — it’s a continuation of a shared mission of growth, excellence, and service.

David Simon T (2019 graduate): “I joined Nokia as an intern during my final year of engineering. Christel House and Nokia showed me a path, and now I am a Senior Developer at Nokia.”

Nagashree (2019 graduate): “To me, the partnership feels deeply personal. I came from Christel House, and today I’m part of Nokia — a company that not only supports the community I grew up in but also played a direct role in shaping my career.”

Dharani (2019 graduate): “This collaboration opens doors for many young people to build a bright future, just like it did for me.”

Many of these alumni now serve as mentors for younger Christel House students, creating a ripple effect of opportunity and inspiration.

Expanding Horizons: Christel House Mexico Joins the Journey

Inspired by the success in India, Nokia extended its partnership in 2024 to include Christel House Mexico, launching internships, mentorships, and the Nokia Idea Lab — an innovative STEAM space designed to spark creativity and career curiosity among students. “At Nokia, we believe in the transformative power of technology to create a better future for all,” says Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia. “Our mission has always been about more than technology — it’s about people.”

Sahgal notes that the collaboration now includes internship placements across Engineering, Finance, and Operations. “These internships not only provide learning opportunities for students,” he adds, “but also for our Nokia teams — with fresh perspectives on overcoming obstacles and adversity.”

Christel House Mexico’s CEO, Javier Alarcón Benet, shared his gratitude: “Thank you to Raghav Sahgal, Raul Romero, and the great team at Nokia for your visit and this extraordinary partnership. Together, we’re creating opportunities that shape lives.”

The impact for Christel House Mexico graduates interning at Nokia:

Celia Berenice Valdés González (2020 graduate): “This partnership reflects a genuine commitment to developing young talent. It’s been a transformative experience that reaffirmed the values Christel House instilled in me — effort, responsibility, and constant self-improvement.”

Yamile Aldret (2022 graduate): “The collaboration between Christel House and Nokia makes me feel supported — I feel the backing of people who believe in my potential.”

María Elena Hernández (2019 graduate): “This opportunity means much more than a professional internship; it represents a door that opened thanks to my hard work and preparation.”

A Partnership with Purpose

From India to Mexico, the Nokia–Christel House partnership has become a model for what’s possible when corporate innovation meets educational empowerment. “This partnership has taught me more than any project or corporate success story ever could,” reflects Borghesi. “It reminds me that technology matters most when it empowers people. Through Christel House, we’re bringing together dreams and opportunities — and I couldn’t be prouder.”

For Christel House students around the world, the partnership proves that when industry and education come together with shared purpose, one visit can truly change countless lives. We at Christel House equally take pride to honor Justin Hotard’s words, President & CEO of Nokia, to introduce the magic of AI in the world of education and every child deserves the right to technology!