A Delhi-ite with a passion for Economics, Manasa, 23, is the only child of PhD-holding parents. She is an avid climber and mountaineer, who has formally trained at the Indian Mountaineering Federation and, as part of an Indian Navy Expedition, successfully climbed Brigu Peak (Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas). She is also a dancer and practices Kathak, besides being actively involved in peace programmes and other social work activities.
"Apart from living and maintenance allowance, the scholarship also provides for a small amount of research related funds, which is extremely useful," says Manasa.
"In retrospect, I think what helped was a clear focus on my research area, my belief in it and my ability to make some inroads into it."
What course are you pursuing right now?
I am not pursuing any course right now. I have just completed my term as a Teaching/ Research Fellow at the Lahore University of Management Sciences.
Tell us about your academic background thus far.
I did my schooling from Sardar Patel Vidyalaya and Sanskriti School in Delhi. I have received my BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Delhi and MSc in Economics for Development from the University of Oxford.
Subsequently, I was engaged as a Teaching/ Research Fellow at the Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS) where I taught Mathematics for Economists, Econometrics and The Economics of Education, as well as undertook research.
What motivated you to apply for the scholarships?
My academic interests are in the areas of development economics, political economy, impact assessment and applied micro-econometric analysis, particularly in the field of education and health. My academic goals involve obtaining an MPhil and PhD in Economics and subsequently pursuing an academic career as an economist. This is the reason, I felt that Cambridge would give me a perfect opportunity to undertake my doctoral studies.
What was your reaction when you heard you had won the scholarship?
I was ecstatic.
What course will you pursue at the university?
MPhil Economics.
Tell us a bit about your family background.
I am the only child of my parents and have lived in Delhi for most of my life. My mother is a geophysicist while my father is a social scientist. Both have obtained their PhD from IIT.
What are your career plans post the course?
I wish to continue my research by enrolling in the PhD programme in Economics at Cambridge.
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