Assam’s daughter shines globally with key role in international education council

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR: In a proud moment for Assam, Dr Upasana Mahanta, a woman who began her education in the Assamese medium, has been appointed to the Strategic Higher Education Advisory Council, a prestigious international body that influences global academic policy and development in higher education.

Upasana Mahanta is the daughter of late Professor Sarat Mahanta and Meena Mahanta of Sivasagar. Her journey from a modest educational background to international acclaim is an inspiring story of determination, excellence and breaking barriers.

Upasana began her academic journey at Joysagar Lower Primary School in Sivasagar, where she studied in the Assamese medium. She continued her secondary education at Rangpur Girls’ School and Fuleswari Girls’ High School, both local institutions in Assam known for serving generations of students with limited resources but great aspirations. Despite the challenges faced by students from regional language backgrounds, Upasana’s academic brilliance shone through, paving the way for higher studies at some of India’s top institutions.

Upasana went on to complete her bachelor’s degree at Miranda House and master’s degree at Hindu College, both under Delhi University, renowned for their academic rigour and competitive environment. Her transition from regional medium education to English-medium higher studies was marked by resilience and exceptional academic performance.

She later pursued her PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), one of India’s leading institutions for research and higher learning. Her doctoral research received high praise, and she established herself as a formidable academic voice in her field.

Following her PhD, Dr Mahanta served as a research fellow at the University of British Columbia in Canada. She also worked as a faculty member at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, a premier institute in the field of social sciences and policy research. Currently, Dr Mahanta holds the position of Dean of Admissions and Outreach at OP Jindal Global University, a highly reputed institution that has been consistently ranked among the best private universities in India.

Dr Mahanta has been invited to speak at several prestigious global universities and academic conferences, where her insights into higher education, policy and equity have earned her international respect. Her appointment to the Strategic Higher Education Advisory Council is not just a personal achievement but also a significant moment for the Assamese community, especially for those advocating education in the mother tongue.

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