How a small town guy from India made it to Columbia University…………

Here is story from Yogesh Ghore, Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy, Columbia University, New York. A story about the grit and determination that saw this small town dreamer reach one of the most envied IVY league institute in the world. Association members are invited to ask him questions by clicking on “comments” below

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I come from small town of Narsinghpur in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. I was attracted to Columbia University’s newest masters degree program, the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy, for its emphasis on finding practical solutions to the kinds of environmental problems I witnessed firsthand in rural India. I sought to broaden my management and analytical skills, while developing a theoretical understanding of the sustainable utilization of natural resources.

The Ford foundation is supporting my studies at Columbia through their International Fellowship Program. The International Fellowships Program provides opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own region and greater economic and social justice worldwide. I was among 30 candidates selected from India for second cohort 2003.

I did my schooling from small places where less resources and information was available and it was always a challenge to pass state and national level competitive exams. Having gained admission into engineering and management schools made me aware that if one is focused and hardworking, one can achieve results. I completed my engineering degree from the Government Engineering College, in Raipur, and then earned a post-graduate diploma in forestry management at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India. To gain experience at the grass roots level, I joined Self-Reliant Initiatives Through Joint Actions (SRIJAN), an NGO promoting natural resources management-based livelihoods. At SRIJAN, I implemented a World Bank poverty alleviation program, where I developed community-based projects for solving problems of rural poverty and development. Working at the grassroots level, I realized the importance of natural resources and the environment in a rural economy.

Joining the Masters program in Environmental Science, Policy and Management at Columbia University exposed me to the global issues related to environment and sustainable development. For example in the field I learned that factors like soil, rain, seed quality and fertilizers use etc, are responsible for the level of agriculture production in any given area. However, there are more factors which are important for long term sustainability of agriculture production and feeding the overgrowing human population. Some of these factors are rapid climate change and falling water tables at an alarming rate. World grain production has not increased in last eight years; it has actually decreased in last four years. There is an increasing gap between consumption and production. The rapid climate change and falling water table has serious impacts on the agriculture production world over. What policies and technologies will help us control this rapid climate change?

This kind of broad perspective I am getting in my program at Columbia. I am learning how to design cost effective programs and to implement policies. Increased understanding of the political, economic and social process will enlighten my work. As a development professional I can contribute by crafting the kind of solutions necessary for today’s increasing complex policy environment. My goal is to promote strong, self-reliant local organizations that deal with market forces and prevalent environment problems. I want to use my skills and experience to enhance people’s access to natural resources and people’s capacity to manage and sustain them.

The Master of Public Administration Program in Environmental Science and Policy is offered by Columbia University’s world-renowned School of International and Public Affairs. This is a one year intensive program in which Students complete a total of 54 points over three semesters. The curriculum provides a management and policy analytic core and a natural and social science earth systems concentration.  The program starts with summer term where students learn fundamental science of earth systems and conservation biology, as well as an introduction to environmental policy and management issues. The main courses in this term include Climate and Water, Land use and populations, Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, and workshop in earth system science and policy. In the workshop, student work in groups towards analyzing present environmental policy, and designing a detailed operational plan for addressing the important policy problem.

The autumn and spring term focuses into the formulation and management of public policy. The physical and social sciences are linked throughout the program so that students gain an integrated understanding of earth systems. The core courses in this term include statistics, microeconomics, Public Management and Financial Management, all of these courses are linked with the environment and earth systems.  ”Our program is totally oriented to the environment—no matter what subject you are learning with us, from management to finance, from statistics to economics, you will learn those concepts by applying them to environmental problem solving.” Dr. Steven Cohen, director of the program. “Every student in the program will focus on this single but complex issue. For one intensive year we will be immersed in the study of the earth. We will study how it works and how to ensure its protection and sustainable development.”

The graduates from this program have employment opportunities in government agencies, as well as in nonprofit organizations and the environmental divisions of private corporations. They are also well suited for designing cost-effective programs and implementing policies.  “We are about training policy analysts and managers for public service careers aimed at protecting this planet’s environment,” Dr. Steven Cohen, “We are about creating a new kind of public sector problem solving professional.”

Admission to the School of International and Public Affairs is competitive; the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree. Admission decisions are based on five application elements: the personal statement, the resume/curriculum vitae, transcripts of prior college and/or graduate school work, three letters of recommendation, and lastly, the GRE. GRE results are never the sole basis for an admissions decision. Along with this some international student need to submit TOEFL score. The detailed information about the program can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/mpaenvironment/

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