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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 2nd November2013
Leading Lights
Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor
As readers of this column may know, I was recently invited to the Rhodes Youth Forum (RYF) organised by Youth Time; an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation that promotes equality, peace and understanding, starting with the young. There I discovered some of the world’s elite youth- among them outstanding young South Asians –and introduced them to you as we need to know what exciting initiatives and opportunities Europe presents to us. 29-year old Hrishabh Sandilya is Vice President of External Relations and Development at the AngloAmerican University (AAU) in Prague, Czech Republic. He co-founded The Insaniyat Initiative, a think/action tank that discusses urbanity and Prague, and dabbles in social commentary and writing. Born in Bombay to a Sindhi mother and a South Indian father, his
Photo Credit: Youth Time
A Young Indian with a British Connection Impacting Central Europe
Rani Singh and Dr Hrishabh Sandilya at Rhodes Youth Forum, Greece
family has historical links to the UK. On his mother’s side, the family has been in the UK and the Commonwealth since Partition and his father spent his formative years in England (when Hrishabh’s grandfather was posted here with Unilever). Hrishabh went to the Cathedral & John Connon School in Bombay, followed by college at St. Xavier’s and Sydenham before moving to Europe,
where he’s been for the last nine years. He spent the first period in Poland and the UK, before he moved to Prague for his Master’s and Doctorate at Prague’s Charles University. He was asked to coordinate the International Master’s program at Charles University during his doctoral studies, after which he moved into education management and ended up at his current position in External
Relations at AAU. “AAU was the first private (and non-profit) educational institution in Central Europe after the fall of Communism.” Hrishabh told me. “It’s shaped many young minds and has had a positive impact on Czech society with its focus on the liberal arts. I have a chance to interact with thinkers, diplomats, politicians and people who are making a real impact and that is the part I cherish about my work at AAU.” Hrishabh maintains a UK focus, too. “At AAU we teach in the Anglo-Saxon educational style and have a strong professional link with the University of London. I have extended family spread out over the London area and Surrey. My mother’s uncle moved there in the 40s, and I still see my cousins every time I am there. A lot of my friends from high school are in the UK and my brother worked there in the past, so there are strong ties and I am always glad to be back.” Hrishabh feels that British Indians could be getting more out of Europe. “With school fees on the rise in the UK and a reduction in the quality of teaching, British Asians are in the best position to take advantage of a Continental education. There are some fantastic
universities in Western and Central Europe, where, in most cases, these schools teach entirely in English (even for their own local students). With reasonable or no fees, quality teaching, and the chance to learn other languages, it makes perfect sense to look at the options. Hrishabh is an India scholar – “I research Indiaher international and domestic politics, and comment on India for the Czech media, as well as advising companies and organisations on their India strategies.” Hrishabh thinks that the Youth Time Movement is important for young Indians in Britain as well as in India. It makes sense that AAU is an academic partner of Youth Time and the Rhodes Youth Forum. “The RYF focuses on different voices and ideas coming from parts of the world that don’t necessarily get their fair share of attention. Young Indians need to realise that there are great ideas coming from outside the Anglophone world. Events like this give us a platform to hear these thoughts.” Indians and others also have a chance to take advantage of two scholarships at the Anglo American University Hrishabh has initiated through the RYF.
“Youth Time is a natural partner of AAU. Apart from being based in Prague, Youth Time’s focus on informal education and innovation in learning is something AAU holds close to its heart. We believe in the role that learning outside the classroom plays in the overall development of graduates. We are happy to support our students and those from the outside to get the best out of fora like the RYF or the forthcoming Paris event. By offering scholarships to study at AAU, we are hoping to foster a closer link with Youth Time members, and in the longrun come up with innovative projects on revitalizing the discourse on education together with Youth Time Movement.” Hrishabh is in India twice a year and lectures at the Xavier Institute of Communications in Bombay. He maintains academic links to institutions in both Delhi and Bombay. At the Paris International Youth Forum “New Paradigm of Education: European Dialogue” on26-27 November, European youth leaders aged 20 to 35 will present projects concerning new paradigms of education. http://youth-time.org/npe
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