Machane Daniel Issac

Mysore, Karnataka

Daniel’s academic background includes: B. Com., MBA, PGDHRM MA, in Peace and Conflict Resolution. He is also UGC NET qualified to teach as an Assistant Professor in Management and Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian and Peace Studies. Daniel has worked at the University of Mysore, and for a number of years at IBM/South Asia in Management and Administration. He was a guest faculty member at Gandhi Bhavan and also a Rural Reconstruction and Outreach Program Coordinator. His research interests include Climate Science and Policy, Deep Ecology, Environmental Impact Assessment and Modeling, Managing Environmental Risk and Disaster, Warfare Ecology and Area Studies characterised by complex interrelationships among Environment, Conflict, Sustainable Development and Peace. He aspires to contribute to the development of people and communities. He says, “My quest for seeking global peace was found in this faraway, enchanting place, which veritably brings me closer to the ethos of Nalanda University. It is an honour to be a part of this grand vision.”

Ganesh Deekshith Siragam

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Ganesh has a degree in B. Tech Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Patna. He has also worked with Tektronix on Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes as a part of his academic programme. His research interests include renewable energies and water availability. His dream is to work on a technological shift towards small scale renewable energy resources (Micro Grids) and sustainable living for people in India. It was his interest in renewable energy resources and sustainability that got him here. He finds studying at NU rewarding for its unique style of education and stimulating academic environment. He says, “I am here because Nalanda University chose me, not the other way around! I am honoured and proud to be a part of NU.”

Arun Gandhi

Faridabad, Haryana, India

Arun has a B.Sc (Hons) in Chemistry from Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi. His research interests include: Water Resource Management, Renewable Energy (Energy Studies), and Science Policy and Advocacy. When asked about what made him choose Nalanda for his Master’s, Arun says, “I believe that Nalanda University is an initiative taken by great intellectuals and motivated students who have come together to create a better future. NU imbibes the idea of fostering research to achieve human welfare at both local and global level.”

Jyothirmayee Kandula

Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Jyothirmayee has a bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.Ed) from the Regional Institute of Education (NCERT) in Mysore. She also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education (PGDSE)–a year-long research project from JNCASR in Bangalore. For her degree and diploma/research project, she received merit-based scholarships. Her research interests include Environmental Studies and Education, particularly Pedagogy. In the future she would like to teach Environmental Studies in schools. She was attracted to NU for the method of teaching, exceptional faculty, and extensive research that the University offers. Jyoti says, “The interdisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies at NU is unique to universities in India.”

Lubna Khan

Patna, Bihar, India

An Economics graduate Lubna was always interested in the effect of environment on economics. She wants to specialise in the field of environmental economics and sustainable development. Speaking about how she chose to study here she says, “I want to work at sensitizing policy makers on the necessity of maintaining a balance between nature and development. Nalanda University with its inter-disciplinary curriculum is the perfect place to learn how I can do that. Besides, Lubna in Arabic means ‘A tree in Heaven.’ I feel that I was destined to be here.”

Rannjit Kumar

Dhanbad, Jharkhand, Bihar

Rannjit has a B. Tech from NIT Jamshedpur in Civil Engineering. He is certified in: Minitab and Statistical Analysis System (SAS) as well as Six Sigma Black and Green Belt. Minitab and SAS are top statistical software packages and Six Sigma is an important business strategy tool. He has also worked for four years as Head of Quality for Bharti Infratel Limited (Bihar and Jharkand), a leading telecommunications company. His research interests include surface and ground water modeling. Talking about why he chose Nalanda he says, “I wanted to study environment and when I found that the vision of the University is in sync with my own ideologies I felt drawn towards it. The curriculum and research component of the course makes it my Dream Course.” Rannjit wants to be an entrepreneur and establish a water firm in the future. Currently he is working on a live project of water modeling of local water bodies and association of rainfall with these water bodies.

Sana Salah

Kolkata, India

Sana has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Calcutta University. She has also worked with the Veterinary Department in Kolkata. Her research interests include biodiversity and sustainability as she is devoted to the protection of animals. She is focused on developing her research skills and plans on pursuing a PhD in the future. Sana says, “The programmes at Nalanda University engage in interdisciplinary modes of learning and aim to be an excellent centre of knowledge in the near future; the university harnesses the finest talents in South Asia and the world for the conception and dissemination of new knowledge. This is what attracted me here.”

Anshuman Shekhar

Patna, Bihar

Anshuman has a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, and a PG Certificate course in Bioinformatics and then PG Diploma course in Clinical Data Management. He has worked for more than 4 years in the field of Clinical Data Management, with companies like Accenture (Bengaluru), Icon Clinical Research (Thiruvananthapuram) and Cognizant (Mumbai). When asked about how he chose Nalanda University, he says, “I was living away from my state of domicile for the past 10 years, Nalanda University gave me the opportunity to come back home and offered me a chance to study the course of my choice.”