Radiance Institute of Career Orientation (RICO)

A Visionary Academic Upliftment Initiative of FSC | 1994–2001

Introduction

The Radiance Institute of Career Orientation (RICO) was a landmark initiative by the Foundation for Social Care (FSC) to bridge academic inequalities for marginalized students. Founded as Radiance Coaching Centre in 1994 and relaunched in 2001 as a full-fledged institution, RICO was FSC’s academic commitment to help students prepare for board exams and competitive entrance tests in medicine, engineering, and the sciences.

Purpose & Vision

      Support students from underserved communities to achieve academic milestones.
Offer low-cost coaching for school board and university entrance exams.
Promote discipline, focus, and a values-based educational approach.
Host and mentor outstation students with residential facilities.
Enable youth to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, and sciences.

    

The 2001 Relaunch

To enhance its impact, RICO was professionally relaunched in January 2001 at New Janpath Complex, Ashoka Road, Lucknow. Key features included:

Dedicated academic infrastructure with equipped classrooms.
Passionate educators and subject experts for structured coaching.
On-site hostel facility supporting inclusivity and student safety.
Well-designed curriculum aligned with board and competitive exams.
Integrated mentoring, testing, and feedback systems for improvement.

Challenges & Closure

Despite its success and vision, RICO was discontinued in October 2001 due to:

Scattered concentration of target learners.
Limited funding for long-term sustainability.
Lack of strong academic ecosystem in the region at the time.

The closure was not a failure but a reflection point for strategic redirection.

Future Reimagining

FSC envisions reviving RICO in New Delhi, where opportunities, academic networks, and aspirants converge. Delhi offers:

A larger pool of motivated learners and mentors.
Advanced coaching ecosystems.
Strategic alignment with FSC’s national expansion goals.

Legacy That Continues

Though RICO no longer functions as a physical institute, its spirit lives on in many FSC programs:

Academic mentoring through Al-Farooq Public School and other FSC institutions.
Personalized support for orphans, first-generation learners, and underprivileged students.
Integration of coaching methods in FSC's career guidance programs.

“RICO was not just a coaching institute — it was a pledge to unlock potential, fuel ambition, and stand with students who had the courage to dream big, despite all odds.”