I retook two of my coursework but that didn’t stop me: Devansh Gupta on the power of passion and progress
27 January 2025
Growing up, Devansh always had an interest in coding.
“There's something incredibly satisfying about writing a piece of code and seeing it work perfectly,” he enthused.
Hence, when he came across SIM-UoL’s BSc Computer Science (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence), the decision to enroll was almost a no-brainer for him.
Not only was the programme’s focus on Machine Learning and AI the first of its kind at that point in time, but the international recognition of the UoL’s degree and the unique opportunity to study at SIM made it a compelling choice.Describing his experience as part of the pioneer batch as exciting, Devansh recalled, “Being the first group to go through the programme meant we were learning alongside our professors, who were also refining their teaching approach.
“This led to a more tailored and conducive approach in the learning environment instead of a one-way lecture.”
That said, navigating the classes during the COVID period presented another set of challenges.
“I missed the social interactions and the in-person guidance,” Devansh admitted. “There’s also an opportunity cost of not being able to build industry connections.”
Making the best of his circumstances, he decided to use the extra time to not only focus deeply on his study but also delve into financial topics.
This eventually led him to his “true calling” in quantitative finance — a marriage of his passion for computer science with his newfound interest in finance — of which he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in.
FROM LEARNING TO LEADING
While his interest in finance was slowly budding, Devansh was also carefully honing his technical skillsets in AI and Computer Science.
In his first year, he was nominated and eventually selected by his professors to attend the UiPath programme – a programme that exposes participants to the Robotics Process Automation (RPA) technology and offer cross-institutional opportunities to collaborate on projects, use cases, workshops and more.
Devansh spent the first six months learning and applying the RPA technology. Later, he formed a team of five members to hold online workshops to teach the technology to other students.
“It was a trial-and-error approach where I got to learn how things must be coordinated in a team, all the while mentored by professors,” he recounted. “This gave me my first experience in working in a team to deliver meaningful content in front of an audience.”
In his second year, Devansh was appointed by UiPath to represent SIM in building a community to spread awareness and knowledge of RPA. Seeing the growing interest amongst students, he decided to scale up and spearheaded the first student-led hackathon at SIM.
“Organising a hackathon felt like a natural progression to solidify the learning and bring more visibility to RPA at SIM,” he explained. “I agreed to lead it because it aligned with my passion for tech and leadership, and it gave me an opportunity to enhance my skills while contributing to the community.”
Leading a team of 60 members, the SIM X UiPath RPA Hackathon took four months to be brought to life.
The project consisted of offline and online segments, where participants were taught the RPA technology across an 18-day period to eventually compete in a full-day hackathon.
“Organising this event was a test of leadership and innovation, and seeing it come together gave me a sense of accomplishment that went beyond the classroom,” Devansh gushed, citing it as one of his proudest achievements at SIM.
EMBRACING SETBACKS AND SUCCESS
With his prolific portfolio, UiPath RPA Hackathon Judge and Head of Programme Mr Koh Wee Boon encouraged Devansh to apply for the SIM EDGE Award.
The SIM EDGE Award is a prestigious certificate, developed in collaboration with employers to acknowledge students’ overall accomplishments throughout their learning journey."Up until then, I always thought of the Edge Award as something that’s for better candidates and that it is out of my reach,” Devansh admitted.
But under Mr Koh’s recommendation, Devansh found a boost of confidence and started preparing his portfolio for the award.
While it may seem that Devansh was a stellar student with a smooth-sailing student life, that is not the whole truth.
“I’m not perfect, and I will openly say that I had failed two coursework during my final year,” he confessed, sharing that the pressure of juggling multiple responsibilities took a toll on his academic performance.
Disclosing that this was the toughest moment in his academic journey, Devansh began questioning his approach to balancing extracurricular activities with schoolwork.
However, he decided to face the challenge head on, reminding himself that setbacks are part and parcel of life.
"The energy I have in my twenties will never return,” he asserted. “I must have a trial-and-error approach to life as soon as possible.”
To bounce back from this failure, Devansh reassessed his priorities, focused on self-discipline, and created a more structured schedule. He also sought guidance from mentors, which helped him improve his academic performance while continuing to participate in extracurricular activities.
His hard work eventually paid off, earning him the SIM EDGE Award in his final year.
“Receiving the SIM EDGE Award was a huge honour,” lauded Devansh, saying that it immortalised the hard work he had put into his journey at SIM. “It will serve as a reflection of my dedication to continuous learning and community engagement and as a key talking point in job interviews.
When asked what distinguished himself from the other candidates, Devansh supposed, “I feel that my dedication and mindset to serve the community — whether it be for students or for the public — was a factor in clinching the award.
“My ability to bounce back and learn from my mistakes to become a better version of myself was another factor that I think stuck on with the judges.”
TRANSFORMING KNOWLEDGE TO KNOW-HOW
Looking back at his SIM journey, Devansh, who graduated in 2023, encourages current and prospective SIM learners to make the most of their time in university.
“Networking and building relationships are just as important as your grades and these connections will serve you well in the future,” he suggested. “Balance your academics with leadership roles and real-world projects.”
True to his advice, Devansh has founded a fintech company that utilises advanced AI and machine learning technologies to develop sophisticated quantitative algorithms for informed investment decisions and efficient fund management — all while pursuing his Master’s.
While Devansh recommends not shy away from challenges, he also caveats that it is also important to know when to step back and refocus.
“Most importantly, do things from your heart,” the 22-year-old emphasised. “Because the passion behind those activities is just as important as doing those things in the first place.
“So, stay persistent and true to your passions.”