The Amazon Future Engineer program, which was launched to bridge the gender gap in the tech sector, has made significant strides in democratising tech education at the grassroots level across India. Launched in 2021, AFE has trained 3 million government school students and 20,000 teachers across 272 districts in 8 states. This announcement was made at the inaugural edition of Amazon Future Engineer program’s ‘Careers of the Future’ summit held in Delhi today.
“Amazon is dedicated to bridging the digital divide in education and fostering India’s growth. By empowering young minds with the skills of the future through the Amazon Future Engineer program, we aim to bridge the digital divide and inspire a new generation of innovators who will shape the technological landscape of India,” says Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India.
“We believe that by investing in education and fostering a diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem, we can unlock the immense potential of India’s youth and drive sustainable economic growth,” adds Kumar.
The Careers of the Future Summit 2025, hosted by Amazon under the AFE program in Delhi, brought together key public policy and industry leaders to discuss critical aspects of computer science education. The summit explored the important role of computer science in preparing school children for future careers, identified best practices for scaling quality computer science education across the country, and examined the crucial roles of government, industry, and educational institutions in bridging the gap between education and career opportunities. Furthermore, the summit highlighted the significance of self-paced learning platforms and online skill certifications in providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all.
Programs such as AFE are rooted in the Amazon Leadership Principle of Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility. We believe that when we have the scale, we must make a difference in the communities we live in.
Designed to bridge the gender gap in the technology sector, AFE is Amazon’s signature computer science education program designed for students in grades 6 and above in tier 2 cities, providing them with access to engaging, multi-lingual learning materials. These are available in seven Indian languages—Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, and Marathi. Enhanced with advanced computer science modules, the program empowers students to develop sophisticated applications while fostering a deeper understanding of foundational AI concepts, coding principles, and the transformative power of technology through immersive project-based learning.
To further empower young women in technology, Amazon is set to open up the next cohort of Amazon Future Engineer Scholarships by offering 500 merit-based scholarships worth ₹2 lakh each over four years. Female students pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science engineering or related fields will be eligible for AFE Scholarships, an initiative that provides comprehensive support beyond financial aid. These include mentorship from Amazon employees, advanced personalised coding boot camps, and access to personal laptops to facilitate learning and career development. Since its inception in 2021, the Amazon Future Engineer program has offered over 1,700 merit-based internships in India.
“The Amazon Future Engineer program has been amazing for my students and me. It helps kids who don’t usually have these chances to learn how to code and solve problems using computers. I’ve learned new ways to teach computer science, and it’s been so rewarding to see my students get excited about coding and get better at it. This program isn’t just about closing the gap between those who have technology and those who don’t. It’s about helping kids learn the skills they need to become the next big inventors and creators,” said Rajashri Nanasaheb Mane, participant of the Computer Science Teacher Training initiative of Amazon Future Engineer Program.
Stay tuned for more details on the application window for the 2025 edition of AFE Scholarships.
Through its extensive partner network, Amazon has also engaged with key government bodies, policymakers, teachers, and the management of thousands of government schools to implement the AFE program in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
In November last year, Amazon launched its first Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) Makerspace in India. Set up in Bengaluru in partnership with The Innovation Story, the initiative provides under-served students from grades 5 to 12 with immersive, hands-on learning experiences, nurturing their curiosity and equipping them with innovative technological skills to become future change-makers. Spread across 3,000 square feet, the Bengaluru AFE Makerspace offers different programs for students of all levels. These programs bring collaborative learning for students to design robots and compete with students from other schools.
