Where are they now?

Study programme MA in Development Studies - Women & Development
Year of graduation 1981
Country of origin The Netherlands
Current occupation PhD candidate University of Amsterdam
What made your time at ISS special? Meeting students from all over the world discussing up to date issues in their respective countries, many of which are still friends. Having remarkable inspiring lectures such as Maria Mies, Kumari Jayawarde, Mia Berden who groomed me in feminist theory and politics.
What's your most memorable moment at ISS? Working at the ISS as the coordinator of the SWAPO Women and Development Training Programme during 1985-1987 and celebrating the graduation of the Namibian students who endured a life of hardships in exile fighting for national liberation/independence in Namibia. We as ISS staff and students organiszd numerous international solidarity protests and commemorations, such as anti-apartheid protests in front of the South African embassy, at the occasion of the death of Samora Machel.
What does ISS mean to you now? A community of committed scholars to social justice, sustainable development and equality.

Study programme MSS - Population and Development)
Year of graduation 2001
Country of origin Bangladesh
Current occupation UNICEF Country Representative, the Gambia
What made your time at ISS special? Friendship – fellow students, teachers, admin staff and the exposure to such a multicultural environment.
What's your most memorable moment at ISS? ISS memories are very special and it is hard to pick one memorable moment so I will mention a few:

• Visit to Zaanse Schans 
• First Gender session by Jos Moi
• Deep discussion with my amazing supervisor Loes Keysers about maternal mortality among adolescents 
• Cultural nights with different national stalls

What does ISS mean to you now? More than a school, ISS was my launchpad – global in outlook, rigorous in training and endlessly inspiring. ISS expanded my horizons and raised my standards.

Study programme Public Policy and Administration and later a PhD
Year of graduation 1995 and 2007
Country of origin Ethiopia
Current occupation Associate Professor at Virginia State University, USA
What made your time at ISS special? My time at ISS was truly special because of the opportunity to interact with participants from all corners of the world. The diversity of perspectives, cultures and experiences created a rich intellectual environment that broadened my understanding and shaped my global outlook.
What's your most memorable moment at ISS? One of my most memorable experiences at ISS was the scholarly paper presentations, which were both intellectually stimulating and deeply engaging. I also fondly remember the informal moments that followed – especially the light and joyful atmosphere in The butterfly Bar afterward. These moments created lasting connections among participants.
What does ISS mean to you now? ISS holds a profound place in my life. It transformed me into who I am today. It is where I developed a deep appreciation for academic rigor and the value of research, shaping both my professional path and personal growth.

Study programme Postgraduate diploma in Governance, Democratisation and Public Policy
Year of graduation 2012
Country of origin India
Current occupation At present I am an independent/freelance researcher, working on governance or policy projects. I have recently completed a teaching contract at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai where I was teaching in a specialized MA programme to the electoral management bodies officers. This was  designed to teach two cohorts of officers and other students, in partnership with the election commission of India.
What made your time at ISS special? Studying at ISS was a turning point for me vocationally. I had been planning to finish my postgraduate diploma and then go for a PhD and teach - I had a very linear trajectory of career in mind. At ISS I received peer-to-peer learning and was mentored by some of the best academics in their respective fields. After my study programme, I started working as a policy journalist, and later completed my PhD in India. Had it not been for ISS, I would not have ‘experimented’ with different roles! ISS helped me refine my professional purpose. What made it extra special was the approach to learning and life- ISS is a philosophy, the alumni stand out because of this philosophy.
What's your most memorable moment at ISS? What made the whole experience memorable was the warmth in the campus- It was my first time leaving India, but I never missed my home while at ISS!
What does ISS mean to you now? At ISS I learned to embrace diversity; its uniqueness is that it is a truly global Institute. And I must applaud the alumni outreach programme that holds the ISS community together.