umc-movement

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Welcome To MUWCI

Mahindra United World College, India (MUWCI) is a residential school for 16-19 year-olds who have chosen to live and study in an intentional community where Faculty deliver a holistic and experiential education programme in line with the mission of the UWC movement to make education “a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future” .

The IB DP curriculum, with its values-based curriculum is taught to each of our 240 students who represent over 80 different nationalities. Our diverse Faculty and student population enrich the learning of our community with the diversity they bring in terms of language, culture, and traditions, and all of us who live on campus engage with the local community in the villages which surround our beautiful campus, in the Mulshi Valley.

Members of the MUWCI learning community strive to adhere to the Seven Principles underpinning the United World College International Movement. Diversity, intercultural understanding, healthy lifestyles, community interaction, environmental sustainability, taking personal initiative, and supporting students to fulfil their potential are all shared values across the movement and ones the community at MUWCI wish to uphold.

The College is committed to Service Learning and, as such, facilitates student engagement and participation in the work of NGOs in the Pune region and other parts of India through Travel Weeks and Project-Based Learning.

At a time when, increasingly, there is a drive for young people to excel academically, Mahindra United World College also focuses on developing the whole person through our carefully designed programmes in outdoor education and sustainability, social and emotional development, and active citizenship. We are the conscious and conscientious caretakers of the young people who have chosen a different educational experience in a unique setting.

While we are a unique community, we are very much connected to the international community and want to help create a better world for all. 

Head of College

Our Team

Our Team
Faculty & Staff Profiles Board
Head of College
Head of Advancement
Deputy Head of College
Head of Campus Infrastructure & Services
Chief Financial Officer
Ainhoa Orensanz
Head of Academics
Head of Student Life, Faculty of Psychology
Head of Triveni, Faculty of Economics
Physics
Computer Science
English A Language & Literature
Mathematics
Mindfulness & Well-being Psychologist
Mathematics
Theatre and Theory of Knowledge
Psychology & Counsellor
Film studies
Visual Art and Theory of Knowledge
Biology
Chemistry
Philosophy and Theory of Knowledge
Biology
Spanish
Librarian
English
Monika Agarwal
Global Politics & IBDP Coordinator
Paola González Leal
Spanish
History and Theory of Knowledge
English
French & Arabic
Economics
Mathematics
Learning Support Coordinator
English B
Mathematics
Zeenat Ansari
Hindi and Self Taught
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UWC Committees

Keshub Mahindra
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Anand Mahindra
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Anuradha Mahindra
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Bharat Doshi
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Maria Ines Kawamura
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Rakesh Mohan
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Ruzbeh Irani
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Uday Kotak
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Ulhas Yargop
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Prof. Vijay Narhar Gupchup
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Vineet Nayyar
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Zhooben Bhiwandiwala
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UWC Committees

Gaurav Chopra

Gaurav is an alumnus of UWC-USA, and believes that the UWC movement encompasses education as a force to unite people, as well as co-exist symbiotically. This passion & faith saw him being involved with the movement in India from its earliest days, even before MUWCI was operationalized. Be it the selection & interview process of the students, the guidance to prospective parents of student applicants or the planning for a UWC in India, Gaurav was either involved directly or on some committee. Once the idea of MUWCI became a reality, he was actively involved in the process of potential site selections as well as the selection of architects & layout plans. As the College was commissioned, Gaurav was invited to be one of the Founding Board of Governors of the College and was one of the longest serving. He has also served on the Selection Committee of the MUWCI board to recruit a new HOC. His commitment to the movement comes from understanding what it is to be at a special place called a UWC…!

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UWC Committees

Angad Patheja
Working at MUWCI since:

2020

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Earlham College, Indiana, USA

The office I lead at MUWCI is called:

Advancement (Fundraising, Communications, Summer Programmes and Alumni Engagement)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Field of Expertise: Ten years of experience in the philanthropy and non-profit management industries with domain expertise in impact evaluation, fundraising, and grant management services.

Previous Jobs: I started my career with the Abdul Lateef Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), where I worked on policy research. Subsequently, I was employed at Dasra, India’s leading strategic philanthropic foundation. Most recently, I have been an independent practitioner supporting non-profits with their fundraising needs.

Countries I’ve called home:

India, USA, and China

The best part about working at MUWCI:

There’s always an exciting conversation just waiting to be had.

My favourite spot on campus:

I can’t think of a single spot. However, I take short walks from time to time, and I enjoy the exploration process.

My favourite MUWCI tradition (and why):

I’ve enjoyed UWC Day Celebrations that I’ve been a part of thus far. There’s a great mix of hands-on activities and reflection sessions to participate in throughout the day.

My Passion Project at MUWCI:

Recycling unused items and making incremental improvements to the Advancement Office space.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Cooking Asian-inspired food; Board games including Scrabble and Taboo.

The most memorable job I’ve had:

I had a part-time job as an usher through my four years in college. I enjoyed watching all the fantastic events the college hosted and meeting incredible people along the way, including meeting Maya Angelou!

A perfect day for me will involve:

Exercise in the morning, freshly cooked food throughout the day, good music to unwind, and a book, preferably a crime thriller.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

6th July 2008, All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The Wimbledon Championships

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UWC Committees

Linn Friedrichs
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

In spirit! Some of my most important relationships have been nourished by the UWC movement. I remember so many meaningful and enriching teaching and learning experiences in global higher education that have involved UWC graduates. I have felt instantly inspired by their complexity resilience, strong sense of agency, and life-long learner curiosity. The UWC core values have guided my work as a leader, teacher, mentor, and researcher, so it is a privilege to contribute to the movement and become a member of a learning community like MUWCI.

Education:

M.A. in North American Studies, Modern History, and Political Science (Free University Berlin); Doctor of Philosophy (Free University Berlin)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Global curriculum development, grassroots globalization, higher education administration, educational leadership, future of work and education.

Countries I’ve called home:

Germany, the United States, Guatemala to varying degrees.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Writing birthday cards, the art of guesting, and creating momentum for the creative solutions and innovative ideas of others.

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

I had the privilege of having many memorable deep-learning experiences in my professional journey. The most formative involved working nightshifts in a shelter for the homeless in Berlin when I was a student, writing my first syllabus as a new faculty member at NYU, and coaching teams as part of the Gigatonne Challenge, a decentralized global climate strategy with equity at the heart. These roles and experiences have expanded my imagination, deepened my humility, and nourished my hopefulness that change is possible every day.

A perfect day for me would involve:

The smell and taste of good coffee in the morning; courageous conversations with students, colleagues, partners, and strangers about “how to change the world together” and taking action together; sitting under a tree and reading; time with dogs, horses, donkeys, and other animals; cooking dinner and sharing stories with friends; lots of laughter throughout!

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

The future

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UWC Committees

Sachin Dicholkar

Mr. Sachin has 15 years of experience in the Indian Navy Defense establishment and 19 years of rich experience in the areas of General Administration, Facilities Management, Property Management, Human Resource Management, Vendor Management and Security Services for corporate and school premises. Prior to joining MUWCI Mr. Sachin served as the Head of Property Management Services at Oberoi International School, Mumbai.

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UWC Committees

Ashish Kumar pande
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Education:

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Finance, Audit, Taxation, Budgets, MIS, Accounts

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Lets keep it a secret

The most memorable job I’ve had:

Most memorable time was when was working in Dehradun

A perfect day for me would involve:

Lot of constructive work, interactions on different issues and finding solutions

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Back to school, 3rd standard

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UWC Committees

Ainhoa Orensanz
Ainhoa Orensanz
Working at MUWCI since:

2011

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

I’m an alumna from Pearson College 2003

Education:

IB from UWC Pearson, BA in Spanish Language and Literature, BA in Comparative Studies, Master Degree in Education and DEA in Spanish Literature.

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

17th century Theatre in Spain, I have published several papers and given three conferences about this topic before joining MUWCI.

Countries I’ve called home:

Canada, Spain, and India 

The best part about working at MUWCI:

The students. Even on the worst day you could find someone who is able to put a smile on your face. They are the most challenging and demanding people I ever met.

My favourite spot on campus:

Swimming pool during the sunset time.

Triveni Activities:

Right now, because of my other commitments, I am only involved in MUWCI frogs. Swimming has been an essential part of my life and teaching others how to swim is quite rewarding. Everyone should have the opportunity to feel free in the water.

MUWCI Passion Project:

To make the Academic curriculum more appealing and interesting to our students.

The most memorable job I’ve had:

I was a waiter for one night in a folkloric event back home. I was hire and fire in the same night!

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

If I tell you then is not a secret anymore… but I am quite good at making Spanish omelettes!

A perfect day for me would involve:

Lots of coffee, some reading, swimming and conversations with old friends…. and also full attendance to class!

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

The 17th century, I would love to be an actor or a monk.

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UWC Committees

Karl Pestonji
Working at MUWCI since:

2021

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

Psychology

Education:

Bachelors and Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Pune Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical and Applied Hypnosis from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Countries I’ve called home:

India

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Its people – a melting pot of cultures and stories as well as its location.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Packing a backpack for a trip – you get to know what’s really ‘essential’ while packing.

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Memorable – helped run a homestay for a month at a Buddhist nunnery in Ladakh, India. Was responsible for everything from cooking and cleaning to showing the guests around and making them a hot cup of ginger, lemon and honey tea on request.

Miserable – Washing the dinner vessels of the guests at the same homestay with ice-cold water – could barely feel my fingers at the end!

A perfect day for me would involve:

Walking about, exploring a new place with my partner

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

2018 – took the year off from work to travel.

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UWC Committees

Manish Thapar
Working at MUWCI since:

2016

Education:

Bachelor of Commerce; Master in Economics; PGcert. in Management Accounting

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Accounting/Income Tax/Economics; Gandhi Memorial International School, Bali, Indonesia; Aditya Birla World Academy, Mumbai

Countries I’ve called home:

Indonesia

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Open environment and freedom to experiment, Encourage cooperation over competition

My favourite spot in Paud:

Tree House, Saiiba restaurant in Mulshi Valley

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

AQ lock down and capture the flag. It’s funny.

Triveni Activities:

Fire service: I love the the way our students feel responsible for the safety of our campus and the environment.

MUWCI Passion Project:

Meaningful outdoor education

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Cooking and watching Netflix

The most memorable job I’ve had:

None: All jobs have taught me and help me to grow to become a better version of me today compare to yesterday.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Hiking and grilled food

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Bali, Indonesia

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UWC Committees

Alejandro Báez Rubio
Working at MUWCI since:

2019

Education:

PhD

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Researcher in radioastronomy

Countries I’ve called home:

Spain, México, Portugal, Kenya

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Growing as a person

My favourite spot on campus:

Anywhere with views to the calles (e.g. the spot behind the cage)

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

Mud game (It is a wonderful new experience for most of people and a nice way to strenghten the community)

Triveni Activities:

Highschool science, robotics

MUWCI Passion Project:

Sharing

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Helping people in an emotional way

A perfect day for me would involve:

New experiences, acquiring new knowledges, and sharing love with others

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

0.5-1.5 million years BC (to meet other human species besides homo sapiens)

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UWC Committees

Amit Rastogi
Working at MUWCI since:

2017

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

M.Sc. (Computer Science)
B.Ed (Mathematics)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Computer Science

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Cracking one-liner jokes

The most memorable / miserable job I’ve ever had

Role of a teacher is most memorable because it allows me to learn something new every day.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Seeing smiles on faces of my students after learning something new.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

My childhood

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UWC Committees

Ankita Tandon
Working at MUWCI since:

2021

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

English A language & literature

Education:

Bachelor in English Honours, Master in Journalism, Master in Education (Pursuing).

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Secondary school literature and language education in English and French. I previously worked as a journalist and content writer before starting teaching.

Countries I’ve called home:

India, France and Indonesia.

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Its people – a melting pot of cultures and stories as well as its location.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Speaking five languages, dancing and making amazing rajma chawal.

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

My most memorable job was teaching in two schools in a small province of France, called Aubenas. I remember walking down beautiful cobbled roads to reach the schools and the students there would be the most excited to see me and talk to me. The most miserable was at a start up for alcohol. I expected it to be a cool place to be and learn, but I instead ended up being a telephone executive.

A perfect day for me would involve:

A quiet, sunny winter Sunday morning in the mountains…with a cup of chai in the balcony, a dog (or two) lying by my side, soft old Bollywood music playing in the background and a book waiting to be read. A lazy, relaxed day ahead!

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Teaching in France.

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UWC Committees

Arun Kumar Khandagle
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

MSc (Mathematics)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Mathematics

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Maths

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Miserable – House hold work

A perfect day for me would involve:

Giving space for creative thoughts.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Era when Jesus lived on Earth.

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UWC Committees

Astha Dugar
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

Masters in Clinical Psychology, Christ University, Bangalore

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Painting, collecting stationery I don’t need, asking ‘life’ questions

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Looking after my plants back in Delhi

A perfect day for me would involve:

A book, a cup of coffee, playing 5v5 with my partner and watching the sunset at a beach

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

I think as a collective we have worked really hard to be where we are right now, so I wouldn’t want to go back to any other time

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UWC Committees

Chiara Khayamian
Working at MUWCI since:

2019

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

Mathematics, AI and AA (SL and HL)

Education:

BS in Mathematics at University of Naples (Italy), Master Degree in Mathematics at University of Naples (Italy), PhD Research in Mathematics at University of Avignon (France)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously jobs:

IB, Research Methods in Mathematics, Scout Education Movement

Countries I’ve called home:

Italy, France, Chile and India

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Entering my class seeing people from different countries (far away on the map) sitting together and sharing ideas.

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

Students’ shows, homestays in the villages around the valley, advisor meetings and dinners: in all those moments people show the deepest part of their soul.

My favourite spot on campus:

Library lawn where you can see the valley next to the Art Center.

Triveni activities I’m involved with:

Outdoor Education Service (I am a proud Scout and trekking on mountains is one of my passions), Kriya where we engage, practice sport and work with young girls from villages around the College.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Taking care of animals: all MUWCI people know my beautiful cats Tigre and Oscar!

A perfect day for me would involve:

Sleeping well and enough, eating healthy and Italian food, learning something new and loving, loving, loving!

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Engage in rhetoric with ancient Greek philosophers or live through the Italian Renaissance.

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UWC Committees

Curran Russell
Working at MUWCI since:

2020

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

Theatre & Theory of Knowledge

Education:

BA in Theatre Education & Performance from Emerson College, Boston

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

I came to India in 2014 to teach at Woodstock School in Mussoorie. As a theatre artist and teacher, I am especially excited about Theatre of the Oppressed, improvisation, and musical theatre.

Countries I’ve called home:

USA & India

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Ask “What’s up?” to anyone on campus and you will not get a boring answer — you might hear about the art piece they’re creating, current events in their home country, a research project they’re working on.

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

Theatre Season audiences! Never have I ever seen such a supportive, engaged theatre community!

My favourite spot on campus:

Below the back gate is a big open spot with a great view of the valley – a beautiful spot to bring a book or a friend and catch the sunset!

Triveni activities I’m involved with:

Improv & Community Theatre — guess why!

My passion project at MUWCI:

I want to strengthen our presence beyond our campus through connections to other theatre groups, artists, schools, and community development projects.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

I make some very silly faces. Sometimes even on purpose.

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Hailing from Maine in the US, I had to serve my time in a lobster pound. Not a fun job for a vegetarian!

A perfect day for me would involve:

A good cup of coffee; some time outdoors; a sweaty, fun and productive rehearsal!

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

A time before plastic bags… how beautiful everything would look.

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UWC Committees

Dhanashree Perumal
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?:

No, but for many months prior to joining, I have been inspired by the movement and tried to incorporate the values into my own educational practice.

Education:

B.A. and B.Ed. from Mumbai University, M.A. in Psychology from SNDT University, Diploma in Counselling

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Pedagogical sciences (although, I’d call it a passion project in progress), Psychological well-being of adolescents (SEL)

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Theatre, being a plant parent, carrying a tune, making gluten-free, eggless, refined sugar-free brownies (Yes, it is still a brownie)

The most memorable job I’ve had:

My first job in a psychiatric clinic that involved long hours, regular ice cream breaks, lack of sleep which my youth could tolerate and being mentored by some of the best people.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Tending to my plants, random sing-alongs in the middle of something, drumming, boardgames and meals with my people, having authentic conversations and getting my eight hours of shut-eye.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

The time I witnessed the beauty of marine life, 40 feet underwater in the Bay of Bengal.

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UWC Committees

Dinesh Bhadwal
Working at MUWCI since:

2019

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?:

No

Education:

Bachelors of Science
Masters in Journalism
Masters in Cinematography (pursuing from Film and Television Institute of India)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Film Studies

Countries I’ve called home:

All across India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Cooking and music

The most memorable job I’ve had:

Everything to do with Film Studies and Film Production is memorable.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Teaching and making cinema.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Childhood with my parents and my father projecting world class movies on a 70mm screen.

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UWC Committees

Hesborne Mosoti
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

Bachelors degree in Education Fine Art.

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Teacher of Visual Art and Theory of Knowledge

Countries I’ve called home:

Kenya

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Swimming

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Memorable job – Computer Services

A perfect day for me would involve:

Accomplishing at least one goal/objective i.e cleaning, completing a project, running an errand successfully, making a good meal, going to bed on time

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

My high school years, had the most fun

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UWC Committees

Irena Ivezic
Working at MUWCI since:

2021

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

Biology & ESS

Education:

Bsc in Veterinary Medicine

Msc in Nutrition & Rural Development

Formal Teacher Training (in science subjects)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Taught English in China, 6th grade in Cambodia and middle and high school science (biology, chemistry, integrated science) in Belgium.

Countries I’ve called home:

The Netherlands, Belgium, China, Cambodia

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Playing the violin (different styles) on a good amateur level

The best part about working at MUWCI:

The beautiful mix of culture, languages & backgrounds

My favourite spot on campus and in Pune/Paud

Does the biodiversity reserve still count as “campus”? Just outside the gates, on the big rocks overlooking the valley, from where you can see the sunset

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

Definitely theatre season!

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Most memorable: teaching Cambodian orphans with HIV. They’re just normal people, shame some people tend to forget that!

Most miserable: cooking / selling hamburgers (as a vegetarian…)

A perfect day for me would involve:

Lots of love!

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Why go back? Let’s move forward!

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UWC Committees

Jaydip Chaudhuri
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?:

No, but some of my friends were working in UWC since 2003, so I am well aware of UWC cultures. Also being a public school teacher for over 25 years, Round square and IAYP connections have taught me UWC spirit, much before I literally joined MUWCI.

Education:

M.Sc(Physical Chemistry), MCA (Network computing), B.Ed

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously jobs:

TCP/IP programming in Java and C was my specialization area when I did my master’s in computer application, grid computing with message passing interface was the application area where I explored further with my students. I know about 10 programming languages, including Prolog, Fortran, Pascal, C etc. I have worked on various OS platforms including silicon graphics, Solaris, Unix, and macOS. I started my career in St. Paul’s school in Jalapahar, Darjeeling and then shifted to the Doon School, Dehradun to teach electronics and chemistry. In my teaching career, I have taught in many well-known schools including Kodaikanal international school, The Aga khan academy, Hyderabad, and Pathways world school Aravali to name a few.

Countries I’ve called home:

India, Maldives

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Cloud watching (Observing and learning good things from them, and also learning from my own mistakes)

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

No regrets in life, whatever I did, I always enjoyed. I consider myself lucky to have good parents and kids, blessed with good values and happily placed in the best working environments, I am thankful for the almighty for all these.

A perfect day for me would involve:

In a lush green environment, a book, a pot of green tea and nature around me

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Why go back…? Eastern philosophy doesn’t teach us to look back but to look and move forward, bodily and in the mind. Thus Charaiveti (in Sanskrit it means, move on, move ahead) will be the mantra. No regrets, what’s done is done for a reason, yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is the present.

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UWC Committees

Liam Goodacre
Working at MUWCI since:

2010-2015, 2021-present

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

Philosophy and Theory of Knowledge

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?:

I have taught at UWC Mahindra and UWC Dilijan for a total of 10 years. I am also an alumnus of UWC Atlantic College.

Education:

BA in Liberal Arts (St. John’s College)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously jobs:

The key area of my studies and teaching is philosophy. I studied classical Western philosophy in college, but have branched out into other areas such as Buddhism and Feminism. I also have a strong interest in mathematics, science and literature. Recently I have been teaching and learning about the history of slavery.

Countries I’ve called home:

Scotland, India, USA, Armenia

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

C++

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

My first job was being a picture framer. I loved it!

A perfect day for me would involve:

Long discussions, being in nature, and / or listening to music.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

I would time travel to the future rather than the past, as I wish to know what humanity becomes over the next thousand years.

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UWC Committees

Lydia Brenda Ogutu
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?:

No

Education:

Masters In Education Management, Masters Program In Changing Education, Bachelor of Education (Science)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously jobs:

Research on Effects of Cooperative Discipline Model in Managing student behaviour with the aim of ensuring a conducive learning environment. / Education Management. / Former Dean of Instruction and Learning, Currently in the Faculty of Biology at MUWCI.

Countries I’ve called home:

Kenya, Finland

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Singing, Public speaking, Over-thinking things

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Memorable – Teaching my students obviously, Leading TPD sessions.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Sunshine, fresh air, flowers outside, and a picnic under some nice shade with friends/family

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Why go back when I go forward? I’d go forward to 2052. This is 30 years from now……what I see then will help me know how to better prepare my students to remain relevant in their time. I’d also get to know what my legacy is/was and see how I can go back and make it better.

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UWC Committees

Martha Lucia Bocanegra
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

Yes, I am member of UWC Colombia Selection Committee

Education:

Degree in Modern Languages ( Spanish-English , Specialisation in the teaching of Literature, Leading auditor in the Quality Management System

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment

30 years of experience as a Spanish teacher. In the past 12 years, I have prepared students in both Language A and Language B in the IBDP Program. Outside of my job, I have been involved in book editorial work, being an author or evaluating books written for schools. Additionally, I am part of the UWC Colombia Selection team. In my last job I was the Head of the Spanish Department, leading the IGCSE, and IB Program in Spanish Language A and Language B. I am an IB examiner and I have been a tutor of Self-taught tutor for students taking the programme in different countries

Countries I’ve called home:

Colombia

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Cooking Colombian food

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

The most memorable job that I have had is a much-loved job as a hairdresser. It was my first job, I started doing home visits, then I worked in a beauty salon and later I started my own salon to help my mum support my house and help me through university.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Start the day with a delicious coffee while observing nature, read a book, exercise, enjoy a nice meal and watch a good movie

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Athens, 6th century BC to see the beginnings of Greek theatre

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UWC Committees

Mary Rose Loria
Working at MUWCI since:

2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

 Library and Information Science from the University of the Philippines

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment

Library administration, digital information literacy, educational technology, robotics, programming

Countries I’ve called home:

Philippines, Thailand, Guatemala

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Playing badminton

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Memorable – becoming the Secretariat manager of an international association which allowed me to travel to different countries and work with diverse nationalities

A perfect day for me would involve:

A meetup with my closest friends in one of the top-rated food places, while engaging in deep conversations and reminiscing silliest memories.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

To junior high school, and tell my younger self to study in UWC!

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UWC Committees

Matthew Spall
Working at MUWCI since:

2016

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

Faculty at UWC Costa Rica 2011-15; Vietnam UWC Selection Committee 2015-present

Education:

BA History & French, University of Manchester; PGCE English, Canterbury Christ Church University; Dip Ed (International Education), University of Bath

Countries I’ve called home:

UK, France, Cambodia, Australia, Argentina, Poland, Costa Rica, Vietnam

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Every day is different; my commute is so short; my wonderful colleagues; the hilarious students.

My favourite spot on campus:

On campus: Wada 1 common room (vamos Wada 1!); Further afield: Mt Waghzai; In Pune: sitting in the MCA stadium watching cricket with friends

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

Theatre Season: two months of preparation where everyone pulls towards a common goal, followed by two weeks of spectating and discussing diverse performances.

Triveni Activities:

This year: Football not Soccer; MUWCI Highlanders (frisbee) because of my outstanding athletic ability

MUWCI Passion Project:

Removing litter from Mt Waghzai

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Toad Style Kung Fu

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Memorable/nostalgic: summer jobs on a farm when growing up. Miserable: washing dishes in two restaurants in Australia – long, lonely, boring, livened up by the chef screaming from time to time for more plates.

A perfect day for me would involve:

A long hike through mountains and past ancient ruins, no rain.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

La Habana, Cuba, January 1959

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UWC Committees

Monika Agarwal
Monika Agarwal
Working at MUWCI since:

2019

Education:

Graduation from Jaipur in Political Science and International Relations (IR); Post Graduation from University of Pune (same subject); Diploma in International Relations from Ferguson College, University of Fredrica, Italy, IIHR, Delhi; Qualified professor of the subject.

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Paper presentation at different National Conferences; Key research in the field of International Relations; Lecturer at Law college and Universities of Delhi, Rajasthan and Pune in Political Science; more than 3 years of job experience at IBDP and IGCSE.

Countries I’ve called home:

India

The best part about working at MUWCI:

Adaptation of different cultures

My favourite spot on campus:

The whole campus is beautiful. I am in the lap of the nature!

Triveni Activities:

Global Affairs and MUN: Both are connected to my subject area.

MUWCI Passion Project:

Respecting all the perspectives whole heartedly…

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Discussing at length GloPo news!

The most memorable job I’ve had:

Memories are building up (in the process) after teaching GloPo to these young minds. I am enjoying every moment when I learn this subject along with the students. So I have only good memories from all my previous jobs.

A perfect day for me would involve:

”’Me Time” – Time to myself (yoga, meditation, family, people, and of course my subject).

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

In deep silence, meditation!!

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UWC Committees

Paola González Leal
Paola González Leal
Working at MUWCI since:

2011 (as family member), 2012 (officially as volunteer, 2013 as teacher)

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

August 2012 – June 2013, Volunteer in the CAS Program at Mahindra United World College of India.

Education:

BA: Spanish Language and Literature at University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. BA: BA (hons) in Comparative Literature at University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. MA: in Pedagogy at University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. MA in Latin American Literature at University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

Currently: MA in Methodology and Learning of a Second Language: Spanish at Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain (approx. December 2019).

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

20th Century Latin American Literature. Second Language adquisition, specially learning methodologies, creating materials.

Countries I’ve called home:

Spain and India 😉 Special connections with Cuba, Mexico, and Ireland.

The best part about working at MUWCI:

The best part of working at MUWCI is that I have the chance to engage and work with highly motivated and passionate students not only in the classroom, but outside of the academic area, during triveni time, residential life… I feel that I learn with them, from them, along with them.

My favourite spot on campus and in Pune/Paud:

My favourite spot on campus is the bench down the gate (on the road). My favourite thing of Paud is buying vegetables in the market and my favourite part of Pune is Koreagon Park, where I have the chance to walk and enjoy urban life, and Baner, where I can eat crazily!

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

My two favourite MUWCI traditions are: Ganesh celebration. It is a gift interacting with local people and get to know their religion and believes. Secondly, Theater Season: the quality of the perfomances is astonishing.

Triveni Activities:

Sadhana Friends. Over the years, our friends at Sadhana have literaly become an essencial part of my experience here. Visiting them is not something I have to do because of my contract or because of the IB requirements, it is something I do because I enjoy interacting and talking to them, because I care about them.

MUWCI Passion Project:

My passion project is to continue having passions for running, collaborating, or starting new projects on campus.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

At MUWCI, I would say I am fundamentally good at caring about MUWCI, its daily routine and its future plans, its students and faculty, its local community, and I am good at getting organized.

The most memorable job I’ve had:

Selling ice-creams on summer in the coast of Spain for 10 hours a day: It wasn’t a miserable job, in fact I enjoyed and I earned a big amount of money for my next year at university. I met people who are now my friends and I learnt to be economically and professionally independent. The crazy part is that my wrists are still hurting from that time…

A perfect day for me would involve:

Engaging, fun, thoughtful classes in which my students share thoughts, collaborate with each other, enjoy, and learn and take the risk to go one step further. Visiting Sadhana Friends, or meeting a student who needs some extra support or an advisee who needs just a nice cup of coffe with a philosophical conversation about life, one hour meeting to plan the next steps ahead in the department, some time to go to the gym, swimming pool, or walk down to the gate and coming back, some time for my family or maybe a few minutes of peace in my courtyard observing the trees and the nature which surrounds us.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

I always wanted to travel back to the ’60s joining a hippy community in a caravan… but nowadays I am also fascinated by the witches in the Middle Age. Learning from traditional medicine from the nature, having our own rituals and being persecuted by the Inquisition!

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UWC Committees

Reid Pierce
Working at MUWCI since:

2019

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No, but I have wanted to join since I first learned of UWC 10 years ago when I lived in New Mexico!

Education:

University of Arkansas (USA) – BA – History; St. John’s College (USA) – MA – Eastern Classics; University of New Mexico (USA) – JD – Environmental and Natural Resources Law; EDHEC Business School (France) – MBA – Global Entrepreneurship

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Key educational research: environmental law, climate change and endangered species protective acts. Other research done in Indian philosophy and history.

Field of expertise: 20th century Middle East history, Modern US history, and History of Yoga.

Previous jobs: include lawyer for startups including CloudFactory and management consultant for research firm Gartner.

Countries I’ve called home:

USA, Australia, Indonesia, Germany, France, Italy and Nepal

The best part about working at MUWCI:

The students! I am constantly inspired by the courage of our students. From the classroom to late night chats as a Wada parent, being with MUWCI students is the highlight of my time here thus far.

My favourite spot on campus:

Wada 2

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

Global Affairs – It is a great time to come together and discuss difficult but pressing global issues. It allows us to come together as a community and engage in a meaningful dialogue on a range of topics.

Triveni Activities:

Green team – I am passionate about sustainability and all things environmental! I was the founder of Extinction Rebellion NSW when I lived in Sydney and led the movement for the City of Sydney to declare a climate emergency. I have been a vegan for years and aim for a zero impact lifestyle.

I am also the supervisor for martial arts! This is a new area for me but as part of being a lifelong learner, I have thrown myself into this new activity!

MUWCI Passion Project:

Greening the campus – The core values of sustainability and environmental awareness are at the heart of much of what we do at MUWCI but I would like to see them further integrated into our lives here.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

I’m secretly very good at playing backgammon and cooking

The most miserable job I’ve had:

Most miserable job I had was a debt collector for Citibank at a call centre! I had to call people who were behind on payments and force them to pay. This was in 2008 during the height of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and Citibank was getting massive government bailouts. I worked with clients though to pay back loans at 0% interest as I had figured out a loop hole in the system!

A perfect day for me would involve:

Wake up not tired! Then do yoga and meditation. Then listen to Democracy Now! over tea before heading to teach history. Then meeting my partner Shiva for lunch in the caf. The day would by walking around our beautiful campus with her before checkin with our awesome Wada 2 kids.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Ancient Athens during Socrates’ lifetime

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UWC Committees

Saad Ahmad
Working at MUWCI since:

2021

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

English Language and Literature

Education:

B.A. (English), M.A. (Linguistics), M. Phil (Linguistics), PhD (Linguistics)

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

Field of expertise: Linguistics, Literature and TOK, I have taught in Heritage Gurgaon and Pathways World School, Aravali

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Daydreaming.

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

I am terrific at everything. But then I might be daydreaming.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Leisure, tea and discussions over how miserable humankind is.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

The 1970s, when bellbottom trousers were a rage in India.

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UWC Committees

Sanaa Rachidi
Working at MUWCI since:

2021

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

Master in Human rights

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously employed in:

French & Arabic

Countries I’ve called home:

Morocco, Italy, India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Languages

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

My first job

A perfect day for me would involve:

A good cup of coffee

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

To the future

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UWC Committees

Sandhya Kadam
Working at MUWCI since:

2021

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

MA Economics

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Working on the development area of education in India

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Organizing and doing research

The most memorable / miserable job I’ve ever had

My most memorable job was working with underprivileged kids in a Bangalore school

A perfect day for me would involve:

Mutual learning between students and me in the class (fruitful discussion)

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

First teaching assignment

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UWC Committees

Sanidhya Sharma
Working at MUWCI since:

2020

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

No

Education:

Masters in Technology – VIT, Vellore
Bachelor’s in Technology – BIT Mesra

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Expertise Area:
1)Unit Step Development of Tungsten Fill in Contact Module of Semiconductor devices below 10 nanometer scale. 2) Impact of bias, doping and High-K dielectric on RF stability performance of junctionless tri-gate transistor.
3) Design of Low Power and Area Efficient 4-bit Arithmetic and Logic Unit using Nanoscale FinFET.
Employment: Mathematics Educator

Countries I’ve called home:

India, Oman

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Technology

The most memorable / miserable job I’ve ever had

Memorable Job: Currently UWC Mahindra

A perfect day for me would involve:

Spending time with students discussing life and the importance of failures

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Nowhere! I am happy, here, in the present!

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UWC Committees

Shiva Shakhesi
Working at MUWCI since:

2019

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

Learning Support Coordinator

Education:

I am a software engineer by qualification.

Key Research / Expertise Area / Previously jobs:

Working with refugees, Amnesty International, immigrants schools in Australia.

Countries I’ve called home:

Iran & Australia

The best part about working at MUWCI:

The students!

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

Regional Weeks, I feel like I traveled to that part of the world!

My favourite spot on campus:

The tree house.

Triveni activities I’m involved with:

Peer Tutoring. Since I was the founder and I also like to try different ways to facilitate students’ learning.

My passion project at MUWCI:

To grow our own vegetables and fruits.

The most memorable/miserable job I’ve had:

Working in IT was the most miserable job I’ve had.

A perfect day for me would involve:

Cooking, dancing, having my loved ones around, listening to nice music. I believe in living my life while keeping this thought in mind – “The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before death.”― Osho

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

60s

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UWC Committees

Skye Nguyen
Working at MUWCI since:

2021

Subjects I teach at MUWCI:

English B

Education:

B.A. English Literature, English as A Second Language Education at St. Olaf College

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

20th Century Latin American Literature. Second Language adquisition, specially learning methodologies, creating materials.

Countries I’ve called home:

Vietnam, United States (Michigan, Virginia, Minnesota)

MUWCI Passion Project:
I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

RPG games, houseplants, cooking Vietnamese food, making middle schoolers laugh

The most miserable job I’ve had:

To fundraise for the State’s Speech and Debate competition, I went door-to-door selling paper pizza coupons in a small town in Virginia. You probably guessed it, nobody wanted paper coupons anymore, and I barely sold any after hours and hours of walking in different neighbourhoods. This was the first and the last time I ever tried to be a salesperson.

A perfect day for me would involve:

A new RPG game that I can get lost in, a cat on my lap, talking to my partner, cooking for the people in my life and sharing a meal together, drinking loose leaf tea, laughing at some clever memes, and weightlifting.

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

1960 – Hanoi, Vietnam

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UWC Committees

Subarna Sampat
Working at MUWCI since:

2009-2014, 2022

Have you been a part of the UWC movement in another capacity?

As a teacher in other UWCs

Education:

Masters in Physics, from IIT Kharagpur, India.

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Mathematics

Countries I’ve called home:

India

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

I’d prefer not to answer this question

The most miserable job I’ve had:

My most memorable job is the one I do – being in a UWC classroom

A perfect day for me would involve:

A long walk, good food, a fun math class, one or two good conversations, reading a few pages from whatever I am reading at the moment, listening to some good music…

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

Any time between 1998 and 2020

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UWC Committees

Zeenat Ansari
Zeenat Ansari
Working at MUWCI since:

2017

Education:

Bacholers in Hindi, English and Political Science
Bachelors in Urdu
Bachelors in Education (B. Ed.)
Masters in Language Arts (Hindi)
Masters in Language Arts (English)
TEFL Diploma
International Teacher Training TESOL
Masters in Education (M.Ed)
Masters in Educational Psychology
Pursuing Doctor Of Philosophy

Key Research / Expertise Area / Employment:

Educational Research: Hindi Grammar and Literature & Urdu Grammar
Educational Psychology
Curriculum Development

Previous Jobs: Hindi Faculty, Woodstock International School Mussoorie; Hindi Lecturer, Hindi-Urdu Language Centre; Hindi Faculty, Stonehill International School Bangalore

Field of Expertise: Hindi & Urdu Curriculum Writing

Countries I’ve called home:

India

The best part about working at MUWCI:

All the learning experiences that I get to collect with my colleagues and students

My favourite spot on campus:

Wada 4

My favourite MUWCI tradition:

MUWCI in itself is a tradition so I cant pick one

Triveni Activities:

MUWCI Media and Writer’s Lab, because taking pictures, writing and collecting memories are very dear to my heart.

I’m secretly (or not so secretly) very good at:

Photography, Writing, Urdu Poetry, Dancing

A perfect day for me would involve:

My students, masala chai, and a lot of laughter

If I could time travel, I would go back to:

My childhood