The 21st Century India Center awarded scholarships to nine high school students, allowing them to attend a summer program focused on global diplomacy
This summer, nine high school students were able to learn the ropes of global diplomacy and conflict resolution at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS), thanks to a scholarship awarded by the school’s 21st Century India Center with funding from the Motwani Jadeja Foundation.
Over the course of three weeks in July and August, the awardees joined 23 other high schoolers in the Future Leaders Summer Program, which is held at GPS each year. The day-to-day curriculum centered on “Peaceconferencing,” a learning experience that empowers students to see global events as opportunities for positive change through diplomacy. Students took part in mediation and negotiation simulations inspired by real-world issues, including climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence, which allowed them to build their critical thinking, team-building and leadership skills.
In addition to the core curriculum, students learned about the latest research and scientific discoveries shaping innovation and global policy through lectures from faculty experts at GPS, like Assistant Professor Meera Mahadevan, and from other departments of UC San Diego.
The recipients of the Motwani Jadeja India Future Leaders Scholarship were focused on India, but the summer program also had GPS’s 21st Century China Center as a co-host, which meant students were able to learn about geopolitics between China and India, as well as both nations’ relationships to the U.S.
“I was deeply grateful to receive the scholarship, because it would’ve been very challenging for me to commit thousands of dollars to a summer program I really wanted to attend,” said Cameron Cunningham, a rising senior who traveled to GPS from Pennsylvania. “The program allowed me to focus on my interest in India’s climate crisis and how data centers affect its environment.”
Sreelaasya Kanakadandi, also entering her senior year, said that the funding she and her family received was instrumental in sparking a new interest in India’s position on the global stage.
“I got a chance to research India’s standing on the spectrum of international relations, which was something I’d never thought to study before,” she said. “My scholarship truly was what brought me to UC San Diego. Without it, I likely would not have been able to attend.”
During the program, it was clear that the scholarship money had been well spent, as students made the most of the opportunity it provided.
“I got a chance to research India’s standing on the spectrum of international relations, which was something I’d never thought to study before.”
Sreelaasya Kanakadandi
“As I sat in on several sessions, I was blown away by the students’ level of engagement,” said Lisa Patel, the assistant director of the 21st Century India Center. “These students are the future leaders we need: curious, informed and eager to make a positive impact.”
Grace Osborne, the director of GPS’s Global Leadership Institute, said that the experience benefits students in their current high school careers and beyond.
“I love seeing how the Future Leaders Summer Program empowers students to find their voice, gain confidence as global changemakers and build lifelong connections with peers who share their passion for creating a better future,” she said.
This year’s recipients of the Motwani Jadeja India Future Leaders Scholarship were:
- Parsa Ahmadpour
- Cameron Cunningham
- Anya Joseph
- Sreelaasya Kanakadandi
- Ajith Kumar
- Kyle Lui
- Avary McBrayer
- Naomi Nguyen
- Kiran Wilke
Learn more about the Future Leaders Summer Program here.
