The joy of ‘discovering’ something new daily is a pleasure in itself. The barrage of ideas each class greeted me with can never be appreciated well enough. This experience was far different from the dread of attending classes I had at my other academic institutions. From the classrooms to fortnightly meetings, the individual attention has helped me iron some of the flaws in my research work. The classroom discussions also helped me rediscover the passion to read and write things outside the law. It is said that to give shape to a piece of stone is simple. But to add specific details to the stone, so that it resembles a sculpture requires a sculptor.

It is my belief that in the short span of one year, the Professors at JGU have managed to turn the stone into something definitive and gave me a solid foundation for my professional career.

In 2020 I began a new chapter at JGU, this time as a faculty member. I teach with the aim of imparting the methods of wit and patience that I was fortunate to learn from my teachers and hope to encourage students to reach scale new heights and find the best versions of themselves.“

On a regular day, Shambhavi would be usually found reading news or books but the past few days have been a bit different for not only her but also her family. Nowadays, she is busy answering phones and replying back to messages as her family, friends, peers and teachers congratulate her on her recent achievement of getting into University of Oxford to study MSc. in Modern South Asian Studies.

“I am looking forward to embarking on a new journey at the University of Oxford. It is exciting to think about studying at the premier educational institution of the world and to meet people of different ethnicities, religions, hailing from all parts of the world and, learn from their experiences,” shares Shambhavi as she talks about her new chapter of higher education.

When asked about her decision of choosing 91̽�� (JGU), Shambhavi gives a big smile and shares, “Journalism and media studies was an area of study that I was drawn towards in high school. The fact that this discipline would enable me to learn in-depth about everything under the sun – from Indian and world politics to popular culture and how to use a camera was what attracted me to pursue my graduation in journalism. I got to know about Jindal School of Journalism & Communication (JSJC) from a friend of mine and a quick Google search later, I found out that it was the first global media school in India and also had an interdisciplinary approach which aligned with my interests.”

Her eyes light up as she talks about her initial days at JGU, “Like every 18-year-old, I was both excited and anxious to start my college life. With two suitcases filled with essential items and some homemade food products, I stepped in the JGU Campus for the first time in August 2017.”

It took Shambhavi just two weeks to make JGU her second home. Everything about JGU – campus life, faculty members, students, support staff – all have a special place in her heart. She dearly misses the campus, as she was not able to live the last few days of her college life in campus due to the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic. “When I was leaving in March 2020, I knew that I am not only taking back two suitcases filled with clothes, but also memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” shares Shambhavi.

While talking about her experience at JSJC, she mentions, “Although it is difficult for me to point out one one instance that had left a mark on me, I know it was the little things that made me who I am. For instance, Professor Muralidharan’s feedbacks and guidance really pushed me to put in the extra work to reach my potential. It was only after taking his courses, Contemporary Indian Politics and Democracy, and History of the Modern World, I realised my interests of pursuing a career in South Asian Studies. I was fortunate enough to also write my thesis and a research paper as a GRIP Scholar, under his guidance. Professor Kajori Sen’s rigour, guidance and encouragement, along with the constant support from all the other faculty members, made all the difference during my educational journey at JGU. And of course, my interest in politics was further reinforced when I was first elected as the General Secretary of the JSJC Student Council and later, as the President.”

Her engagements as a President of the Student Council was all together a different experience for Shambhavi. “Our interactions as the council would inevitably run till midnight, exchanging ideas, brainstorming, debating yet sharing great comradery and respect for one another, has especially had a huge impact on me.”

“Saying goodbye to JGU was tough but I am convinced that I could not have reached a step closer to my dreams without the foundation that was nurtured by the illustrious faculty of JSJC and the people I met at JGU.”, shares Shambhavi as she starts making a checklist of things she will do at Oxford.

I am always fascinated and inspired by the above quote by one of the best minds of India. His vision and ideas for nation building are still alive and are inspiring billions of youth like me across the world. India is called a youth nation where a considerable amount of the population belongs to the age brackets of 35 years of age. They have the potential, skills, and knowledge but sometimes they are not getting adequate exposure and freedom to express themselves and work on their ideas and vision due to various reasons.

Now think about a place where you get the required exposures, experiences, freedom and all other resources where you can pursue your goal and ideas for nation-building. This place is none other than O.P Jindal Global University (JGU). This place was a world within the world for me where I was able to pursue my goal of becoming a policymaker.

My journey to studying M.A in Public Policy started when I was in the final year of my graduation. I did my graduation in Economics from Loyola College. During my graduation, I had a chance to study a programme called Outreach where we had the chance to go to the slums to understand the policy and governance at the ground level. After completing my graduation, I started searching for a course on Masters’ in public policy and governance, and going through the internet I came to know about many colleges and universities who were offering the Masters course in Public Policy (M.A. PP) but I landed at the O.P Jindal Global University (JGU).

Going through the website and brochure of O.P Jindal Global University (JGU) for M.A Public Policy degree, I was so inspired and excited to see that the JGU has a state of art facilities, a global library with a global reading room and especially the great faculty members from across India and the world.

I was lucky enough to attend one of the prestigious courses which is M.A PP at the JGU from 2017-2019 where I did my concentration in Public health. Once I got admitted into the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy (JSGP) family and community, it helped me to transform myself completely in all aspects of my life, be it academically, personally or professionally. While doing my Postgraduate degree in public policy, it gave me international exposure and I did not have to look anything beyond that.

The course and curriculum of the public policy at the JSGP is a unique combination of contemporary economics and other branches of the social sciences along with various other domains that structure, impact and influence policymaking in the real world. It allowed me to learn and gain the required experience to look at any policy and governance issue from a multi-disciplinary approach. Because in the policy domain, it has been said that one size cannot fit for all. It allows the students to explore and adopt the different methods to solve public policy issues. I had the privilege of attending classes by the best and highly qualified professors across India and the world. The faculty at the JSGP comes from a diverse disciplinary background with varied interests in public policy, economics, research and advocacy along with their exceptional and extraordinary educational background which is par with any benchmark university around the world. The faculty adopts a unique pedagogy to teach the students in the classroom but also enables them to gain practical skills and knowledge in the field of public policy. There are distinct features of the faculty at the JGU and JSGP as compared to other universities is their in-depth understanding of looking at the students as their kids and peers. It helps to minimize the gap between a student and the professor, which is much necessary for personality development and development as a young policymaker.

During my three years of career as a young policymaker who is at the stage of entering the field of policy, governance, and economics, I have been working and in touch with various stakeholders of the public policy ranging from the Chief Secretary, several bureaucrats (In-service/retired), Industry professionals, elected representatives and ground-level stakeholder who have a say in policymaking and agenda-setting. A Billion thanks to the JGU and JSGP to provide me such golden and extraordinary support as and when it is required for me to achieve my goal of becoming a policymaker to contribute to nation-building.

I would like to urge the young mind who is aspiring to become a policymaker that JGU and JSGP is the right and the appropriate place for you all. This is not less than the Indian model of Oxford and Harvard where your career will reach to the topmost level once you choose and open yourself up to an upward journey with us.

Mahatma Gandhi once said that “The Best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. Hence Join JSGP and JGU and make yourself happy and proud in the service of others and yourself.

The article is an experience sharing note by Vivekanand Jha, an alumni of Jindal School of Government and Public Policy.

The article and creatives are also curated by Content, and Advertising & Digital Strategy (ADS) Team of 91̽��.

I had the privilege of attending the prestigious Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) for my M.A. in Diplomacy, Law and Business for the batch of 2018-20, which earned me a specialisation in Conflict in Peace. As you take admission into this behemoth, JGU promises you nothing but excellence, and in a moment of rare gesture it delivers every time you call upon its promise of academic superiority. I won’t be giving out my testimony out of sheer chauvinism for my alum when I tell you that not only JGU and JSIA imbibed a distinct academic character in me, it prepared me to be pitched to world of academic/professional expertise, which will last for the next five to six years. It takes a confused, anxious student just out of his/her under-graduation and moulds him/her into a singular individual with a name to live up to, and skills to utilise at every step of his/her life.

JSIA’s professors and experts do not possess the characters of a stoic academician as we once stereotyped and feared. In fact, in them, you will see the same extreme enthusiasm of dissipating knowledge as you will see in their students eager to gain knowledge. Classroom teaching in JSIA are not designed to receive and regurgitate, but to receive, discuss, analyse, and achieve objectives. The professors activate the critical thinking of our mind, while they pitch us to the world of peacebuilders, or economic experts, and simulate our experiences into professional/academic roles that will take up in future. Other than the usual classrooms, JSIA leaves no stone unturned in letting students receive knowledge from sources not particularly affiliated to JGU, but nonetheless, extremely important. In my two years I have been in the vicinity of retired/practicing ambassadors, ex-ministers of foreign countries, and the high and mighty Indian policy-makers of Lutyens Delhi, thanks to the logistics provided by JSIA and JGU in achieving those goals.

Furthermore, JSIA and JGU have a vast list of administrative and academic collaborations with multitude of foreign universities which makes it easier for students to be part of multifarious student exchanges, special summer schools, and semester abroad, without the administrative hurdle. I also had the opportunity to attend one such special summer school where I received a certificate in “Identity based conflict resolution” from Bar-Ilan University, Israel after a month long in-class teaching funded by the Israeli Government itself. Adding into that as a caveat, JSIA’s Centre for Israel Studies gave me the opportunity to extend my stay in Israel, and indulge in an academic research on holocaust memory, state-building, and collective trauma upon which the state of Israel is founded upon. Other than that, I was also a part of the Centre of Border Studies and worked on a project on assessing and tabulating civilian casualties around the LoC between India and Pakistan. These experiences would in future help me in choosing my specialisation of graduation.

However, beyond the usual academics, what does JSIA and JGU have to offer in terms of career placement? In JSIA, at least for the M.A., the course demands for two specialising internships, and a long-term capstone as an option of degree fulfilment. To assist in that JSIA – JGU has its specialised Office of Career Services to spoil us with choices on organisations, which range from corporates, to NGOs, to Think Tanks, to dedicated Policy Institutes. In my two years, OCS roped me exclusive internships from Centre of Land Warfare Studies, Odisha Legislative Assembly, and Centre for Studies in IR and Development, while it also settled me for a leading Policy Advocacy firm, Chase India for my degree fulfilment capstone project. The experience imbibed from the internships, capstone, and the support of OCS in the upcoming years will prove beneficial to prove my professional mettle, as well as choosing my future objectives. I will also thank them for roping me with Janes Defense India for a full-time opportunity as a Research Analyst (Europe and Baltic States), which was a great gesture of support, provided we live in harsher and struggling times.

In the end, for those who are currently pursuing their degrees in JSIA – JGU, and also to those who will do that in future, I do welcome you to an adventurous path, where the inculcation of quality education is the milestone, and where no academic idea is stupid, boisterous, or blasphemous. In fact, it was this encouragement to think higher that made me end up with an award in Best Student Publication, Best Student Research Initiative, and 22 academic publications. The journey here will surely increase your outlook to the world you’ll face in real time, you just have to engage your professors and peers in critical dissipation of knowledge, open yourself to academic theories, think as if your life depends on it, and inject out fun from day to day activities inside the campus. Your fundamental benefits far exceed your expectation, and I just hope that your career glides to the top once you open yourself up to an upward journey.

For the Bengaluru girl, the passion to make a difference in the world took root while pursuing a B.A. (Hons.) in Liberal Arts and Humanities at the Jindal School of Liberal Arts & Humanities. In 2015, Paavani bagged the prestigious Savitri Jindal Scholarship offered by JGU and moved from the southern part of the country to Sonipat. The scholarship encouraged her to prove herself, which she did by winning the Best Researcher Award at JGU the following year. Through her coursework and research internships, she has developed a keen interest in Political Economy, Behavioural Economics, and Inclusive Business. “The research opportunities and the interdisciplinary courses at JSLH deeply influenced my interests and served as the launch pad for me to pursue a career in the social impact sector,” she says looking back on her journey. During this time, Paavani also attended a summer school at The London School of Economics and Political Science and a semester abroad at Trinity College Dublin.

At JGU, Paavani was continuously exposed to new learning experiences. She got the opportunity to work at the grassroots level and be in touch with the ground realities. Regarding the scope of experiential learning through various projects at JGU, she says, “The opportunity to engage in fieldwork with Anganwadis around Sonipat helped to enhance my understanding of the ground reality in these communities and the working conditions, infrastructure and the pre-school education offered at these centres.”  Her understanding of the social sector was further enriched through internships with NALSAR University, Hyderabad and National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.

Taking advantage of the work-experience year during her Master’s programme, Paavani returned to her hometown last year. She worked as a Student Fellow with Start Up! Pvt Ltd, an angel investor, impact incubator, and consultant for social entrepreneurs in Delhi. She then went on to work with Ashoka, the largest network of social entrepreneurs in the world, as an Ashoka Young Changemakers Intern in Bengaluru. It proved to be a valuable learning experience. “Ashoka has pioneered social entrepreneurship as a field, and has influenced key global players across sectors to recognise and nurture entrepreneurial talent to solve social problems,” she shares.

Paavani’s resolve to work towards social impact and sustainable development has matured over time. Her academic experiences helped broaden her horizon and introduced a plethora of possibilities for her future. Having recently completed an internship with the SDGs Department at NITI Aayog, she is currently engaged as a Research Intern with Outline India, a research and development consulting firm in Delhi. “Through my work in the social impact sector, I hope to help level the playing field and actively help improve the lives of the marginalised and the impoverished,” she says. Next year she will return to Paris to complete her Master’s programme and continue to work towards creating large-scale social change. Once she graduates, she aspires to build a career in research and development programmes, and development policy.

Living in world that is still orthodox in many ways, the journey of getting into the business space wasn’t easy. It was new and strange for people to accept the fact that a woman can hold her ground in this field, as it is traditionally considered as one which requires masculine strength and abilities.

Coming from law school, I was fortunate to have learned how to tackle these challenges. Through my years at Jindal Global Law School, I came to understand that law does not only educate you about your legal rights but also helps you answer a lot of questions about beliefs that have been ingrained in you. At JGLS, we were encouraged to question the logic behind everything. What really helped me find my footing in the business arena was a sound legal knowledge and drafting skills.

In the initial days, people were very curious about how I was able to cope with all the field work and dealing with supervisors, contractors, government officials and many others who may have never interacted with a woman at the workplace.

As a woman in the 21^st century, there are still times when I face gender discrimination, but I have learnt to handle it. Today, I am extremely proud of the fact that I get to take my father’s business legacy ahead, when almost all had doubted my capabilities. I truly believe that a legal training hones the ability to not only understand and challenge people’s viewpoints but also make one’s own voice heard and become a leader in any field.

Before joining the business, I was working as a Legal Analyst in Pune. I found myself at a crossroads with two options: start my own legal venture or to relocate to Bhopal and help my father to expand his business. I still remember my father saying, “There is huge scope in the coal logistics business, but I need a helping hand.” From that day on, I knew what I had to do.

Leaving behind the legal network in Pune and Mumbai wasn’t easy, but I was able to keep up my passion for law as well, as the founder of Lawyers Connect, India’s biggest network of lawyers, CAs & CS. Lawyers Connect has a portal that helps keep professionals updated with corporate law amendments and landmark cases. Along with that, we also do research on case laws or judgments in the area of corporate law as and when required by the professionals. Besides this, I am also the Chief Marketing Officer of HospiBuz and Hospitality Lexis magazine.

I am short of words to express gratitude for all that I was able to achieve through my five years at JGLS. What makes 91̽�� the best—and a class apart from other colleges in India—is its global faculty and global ecosystem. I truly believe that no other university in India would have given me the platform and freedom to interact with professors beyond classroom discussions.

It was an incredible experience to learn from the exceptional faculty at JGLS. Prof. Gagan Kwatra, Prof. Manasi Kumar, Prof. James Nedumpara, Prof. Sachin Dhawan and Prof. Sirish Tamvada—these five accomplished experts played a very important role in my college life, and still continue to inspire me. During law school, I worked at the Centre for International Trade and Economics Laws under Prof. Nedumpara and also worked alongside Prof. Gagan Kwatra as a Teaching Assistant for a year.

In the third year of law school, I was very confused about my career. While I was keen to pursue entrepreneurship and business courses, the legal courses were equally interesting. Prof. Kumar was always open to sharing her knowledge and experience about the professional world. I would share with her my passion to be an entrepreneur and she guided me through each and every step on how to make a mark in the field. Eventually, when the time came to join the business, I was very confident about my approach—and it was only possible because of the excellent mentorship at college. I was able to attend an entrepreneurship course at Stanford University with their guidance and support.

                             
As a student, the learning experience at JGU was really unique and empowering. The open interaction in the classrooms and multidisciplinary electives offered by the different schools helped me evolve and grow intellectually. We were always encouraged to participate in electives, and for two semesters, I was permitted to opt for seven electives along with the regular curriculum; I even attended classes on weekends!

Looking back, I feel that the ecosystem of diverse learning and exposure from across the schools at 91̽�� has given me the zeal and confidence to work enthusiastically in three very diverse sectors—the journey has just begun and there’s a lot more to look forward to in the road ahead!”

His teachers and peers at Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), where he did his MA in Diplomacy, Law, and Business, were a constant inspiration, shares Irchard. In fact, with support from the then Director of the International Office at JGU, Mr. Aman Shah, the Mozambique national offered Portuguese language classes to his fellow students, faculty, and staff at JGU. Already a popular face on campus, this exciting gig made him all the more amiable. Talking about Professor and Dean of JSIA, Dr. Sreeram Sundar Chaulia, who guided his dissertation, Irchard says, “He expected nothing less than high-quality work and, as a mentor, provided extensive support and guidance.”

Professional and personal learning went hand-in-hand during his time at JGU. Irchard came to realise the importance of pursuing interests close to his heart with complete passion. “JGU exposed me to a whole new world of possibilities,” he says with a smile. Putting to good use the opportunities that came his way, Irchard is now making a name for himself in academia.

Irchard works as a lecturer at Instituto Superior de Relações Internacionais (ISRI), where he teaches Energy Diplomacy and Security, and International Relations Theory. In the past three years, he has also worked as a part-time faculty member at Instituto Superior de Comunicação e Imagem de Moçambique (ISCIM) where he taught Public Relations and Negotiations.

Since then, while following his academic career, he has also pursued interests that have led to personal growth. He has received training from different institutes on a number of subjects including Maritime Security (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile, and Instituto Superior de RelaçõesInternacionais), Psychopedagogy (Pedagogical University Foundation), and Sukuk – Shariah and Operational Aspects (Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development Bank, and Higher Institute of Communication of Mozambique).

Recently, Irchard represented the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Maputo International Trade Fair. He has also founded the Academia de InvestigaçãoMarítima, Energética e International, a private institution dedicated to research, consulting, and publishing in international affairs, and maritime and energy studies. A journal on international affairs and maritime and energy studies is also in the pipeline. Moving ever-onward in every direction possible is Irchard’s guiding mantra; something he picked up at JGU. A multidisciplinary backdrop can have that effect on students, who learn to keep their eyes peeled for opportunities and challenges. Irchard doesn’t want to limit his achievements and growth to one area. So, when one chapter settles, he’s quick to start the next in his on-going story of success. University experience has left an indelible mark on him—and not surprisingly, he can’t wait to start the JGU alumni chapter in Mozambique, which is home to 35 JGU alumni.

John felt immensely welcomed in the ethnically diverse campus of JGU. He likes to think of it as real-life exposure to managing global relations in some ways. Rightly so! The perks of a global university are many, and perhaps the most vivid is the vibrance of global exposure—be it the curriculum, infrastructure, faculty or friends from the world over. “Attending JGU was a major upward mobility move for me. From the amazing faculty to state-of-the-art facilities and the hospitality; learning at JGU was remarkable,” he adds with a smile. It was here that not only did he hone his interests in Human Security, Gender Sensitivity, Corporate Social Responsibility, and passion to drive empirical approaches toward youth development but that he found the right partner to pursue those goals alongside. Together with his fellow JSIA graduate P. Samuel Goweh, John established the Liberia Research and Development Networks (LRDN). The duo went on to do big things.

Through the NGO focused on research themes and capacity-building for the youth, John investigates mining companies’ impact on host communities. They have already identified key gaps in service delivery in those areas which include no high schools and lack health facilities. On the academic front, John went on to gain a Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy and Contemporary International Relations from the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia. He became a lecturer in the Political Science Department of the African Methodist Episcopal University at Monrovia, Liberia. Meanwhile, John also served as the lead researcher for the news magazine of the Liberian National Archives titled ‘Liberia and the United Nations: A Long Journey of Partnership’.  

Last year, John published his first book, ‘Liberia in the Colorful World of Diplomacy’. It explores Liberia’s diplomatic history, its mark on organisations like League of Nations, UN, OAU/AU, and its overall role in promoting democracy across Africa. The novice author’s first work is a passionate portrayal of his belief, and it was clearly well-received. Besides his investigative and research work, John has been actively involved in diplomatic services. Mr. H. E. Milton G. Findley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liberia noted his contributions for facilitating two major protocol trainings, which have been pivotal for protocol services in the country.

John’s professional journey may already have several milestones in a short span of time, but he insists that he has a long way to go. Keep an eye on this budding icon, because we know he’s going places!

The renowned research university, often ranked around the top 100 in the world, proved to be a gateway into a stimulating global environment. That famous ‘Irish luck’ shined on the B. A. (Hons) Liberal Arts and Humanities student as she bonded with other young college goers from around the world and aced the academic adventure. A year later, the experience still brings a smile to her face. Akanksha recounts her journey from Sonipat to Dublin and the personal transformation it inspired since. 

The four-month programme covered an interesting mix of subjects including Irish Short Fiction and Early Modern Women Writers. Akanksha also took up Human Resource Management and Creative Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurial Action to diversify her skills.  

Studying in the interdisciplinary environment at Jindal School of Liberal Arts & Humanities (JSLH) had prepared her for the stint abroad. “The style of teaching and evaluation; from class discussions and presentations to writing research papers and going for field trips, was very similar to that followed in JSLH. In Dublin I realized that the methods of imparting education at JSLH are at par with the top schools in the world,” she says proudly. 

Although Akanksha didn’t really need to make a major shift in adapting to the teaching style, the move to a foreign country presented its own set of challenges. Back at JGU, she had made a place for herself on the campus. In Dublin, however, she had to start from scratch with no friends or support system. Recounting the transition, she says, “Life in Soinpat is massively different from Dublin. Initially, I found it difficult to adapt. As the weeks passed by, I found myself exploring a new country, living independently, and making friends from all over the world. It taught me how to adapt to a new environment faster and to take the initiative to move out of my comfort zone.” The international exposure coupled with whole new life experiences it brings is big learning for youngsters like Akanksha, who may be stepping out into the world alone for the very first time.  

By the end of her trip, it felt like leaving behind a second home. For Akanksha, a place is made special by its people. New friends from US and Australia—who she is still in touch with—helped weave a wonderful memory. At a personal level, those bonds were her biggest achievements during the programme. But there were academic achievements too. “Being able to score high grades in a new university under the guidance of new professors was a bonus for my overall GPA. I had the opportunity to lead an independent student life and gain global perspectives. I learned about new cultures and worked on my communication skills,” she spells out the takeaways that she hopes to take into a global career.