On 21st September 2024, MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) played host to the AWS Student Community Day (SCD) Pune edition, an event that united over 500 cloud enthusiasts, industry experts, and aspiring technologists. In collaboration with AWS Cloud Club at MIT-ADTU, the event was a vibrant platform for students from various institutions to explore the future of cloud computing through hands-on experiences, inspiring keynotes, and interactive sessions.

AWS SCD 2024 was more than just a learning opportunity; it was a celebration of the innovation and community spirit driving the student-led cloud computing movement. The event provided a unique space for attendees to connect, collaborate, and engage with the transformative power of AWS technologies, all while gaining practical skills for their future careers.

The day began with Registrations and Networking, followed by a Lamp Lighting Ceremony, marking the official start of the event. Distinguished speakers including Jen Looper, Sambit Bhattarai, and Vishal Alhat were felicitated for their contributions to the tech community, setting the tone for a day of exploration and inspiration.

Keynote Highlights

The opening keynote, titled "The Last Saree: Intersection of Machine Learning and AI in Cultural Heritage", was delivered by Jen Looper and Sambit Bhattarai. Their captivating discussion on how AI and machine learning can be leveraged to preserve and revive cultural heritage pushed the boundaries of conventional technology use cases, inspiring the audience with both their insights and personal journeys in tech.

The second keynote, "From Classroom to Cloud: Your AWS Security Adventure", by Vishal Alhat, delved into AWS security best practices. It provided students with a deep understanding of how to build secure, scalable cloud solutions—an essential skill set in today's cloud-driven world. Engaging Sessions and Hands-on Workshops

Following the keynotes, the event transitioned into specialized sessions that offered deeper insights into cloud computing. Highlights included:

"How to Stand Out as a Student with AWS and DevOps" by Shubham Londhe, which provided students with essential tools and certifications for a competitive edge in the job market.

"Amazon Q for Development and Analytics" by Saurabh Agarwal, introducing critical techniques for development and analytics using AWS.

The afternoon featured two concurrent hands-on workshops:

• Somya Verma led a session on building CRUD APIs using AWS Lambda and API Gateway, giving students a practical understanding of serverless computing.
• Rahul Shivalkar guided students through Dockerizing a Flask Python application, highlighting the value of containerization in modern cloud environments.
• Both workshops ensured students walked away with tangible, real-world skills they could apply in their future projects.

Panel Discussion: DevOps and Automation in AWS

One of the most anticipated sessions was the Panel Discussion on DevOps and Automation in AWS, featuring cloud experts Varsha Verma, Omkar Kadam, and Prof. Dr. Rajani Sajan, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prasad Purnaye. The panel explored how automation is revolutionizing DevOps, with experts sharing valuable insights from their professional experiences in cloud infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

AWS Student Community Day 2024 was a resounding success, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are essential for shaping the future of cloud computing. The enthusiasm of the participants and the engagement from the speakers underscored the importance of such initiatives in fostering innovation and collaboration within the cloud community.

As we look to the future, AWS Cloud Clubs at MIT-WPU will continue to be a hub of learning and innovation, ensuring students have the tools and opportunities to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape. AWS SCD 2024 wasn't just an event; it was the beginning of a journey for hundreds of students, all aspiring to shape the future of technology.