IIT Madras student Shudhanshu Kumar Yadav is now exploring AI research in Japan. He started with a background in Physical Science and limited coding experience. “I had studied Physical Science, and areas like programming, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence were completely new to me,” he said. He got many research opportunities.
Sometimes, the willingness to learn matters more than what you already know. Shudhanshu Kumar Yadav’s story reflects this. With a background in Physical Science and limited coding experience, the IIT Madras BS student gradually built his technical skills, opening doors to research opportunities in India and abroad.
Yadav secured a paid research internship at Dhirubhai Ambani University in Gandhinagar, along with opportunities at Jamia Millia Islamia and IIM Bangalore. He was also selected for the Matsuo & Iwasawa Laboratory at the University of Tokyo and GCI World 2026.
His experience highlights how curiosity, consistent effort and a willingness to learn can help students develop new skills and explore fields beyond their academic background.
HOW DID HE MOVE FROM ZERO CODING EXPERIENCE TO EXPLORING AI?
For Shudhanshu, moving into Data Science and Artificial Intelligence meant learning subjects that were entirely new to him. Unlike students who enter technical programmes with prior coding experience, he had to build his understanding from the ground up.
“I had studied Physical Science, and areas like programming, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence were completely new to me,” he said. The IIT Madras BS programme provided a structured learning environment that helped him develop his technical skills progressively.
The BS programme gave him the opportunity to learn these subjects step by step and build a strong foundation. As he progressed, he began exploring how classroom concepts could be applied to practical problems, prompting him to take up projects and seek research experience.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA AND ABROAD
Yadav's growing interest in Data Science and AI soon extended beyond the classroom. He secured a paid research internship at Dhirubhai Ambani University in Gandhinagar and received internship opportunities at Jamia Millia Islamia and IIM Bangalore.
These experiences allowed him to explore technical problems and apply concepts he had learnt during his coursework.
“As I continued learning, I gradually became more confident in applying what I learned to real-world problems,” he said.
UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO: A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE
Another milestone in Yadav's academic journey has been his selection for the Matsuo & Iwasawa Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. He has also been selected for GCI World 2026, further expanding his exposure to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
For a student who began with limited programming experience, these opportunities mark a significant step towards exploring research beyond the boundaries of his original academic background.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH LEARNING
For Yadav, one of the biggest changes has been developing the confidence to explore a field that once seemed unfamiliar. Coming from a non-technical background, he gradually learnt to experiment, make mistakes and improve his skills while discovering his interests.
“Coming from a non-technical background, I feel the biggest change has been the confidence I have developed along the way,” he said.
His transition from Physical Science to Data Science and AI highlights how structured learning, practical experience and a willingness to keep improving can help students explore unfamiliar fields and pursue opportunities beyond their academic background.