Venugopal Srikanth Sogathur has shown dedication to advancing digital education and has left a lasting impact on students, teachers, and schools across Queensland. As a teacher at Ripley Valley State Secondary College, Srikanth has developed innovative esports and DigiTech programs, aligning them with the Australian curriculum to create engaging and future-focussed learning opportunities. His efforts have seen more than 1,000 students participate in coding clubs and STEM activities, with many achieving state and national recognition, including multiple Queensland Premier Coding Challenge Champions.

Beyond his classroom, Srikanth has played a pivotal role in mentoring early-career teachers, leading professional development workshops, and contributing to statewide initiatives like the #CodingCounts program. His leadership extends to curriculum development, where he has introduced interdisciplinary projects such as the 'Mission to Mars' program, inspiring hundreds of students to explore STEM fields.

Srikanth's influence is also felt through his contributions to Queensland DigiTech and esports teacher networks, where he has supported schools from regional and urban areas to adopt cutting-edge digital practices. With more than 15 years of service as a teacher, his commitment to fostering equitable access to digital education and empowering educators highlights his significant contribution to the teaching profession.