‘In a Short Span, We became a Go-to Space for Students Aiming to Pursue Postgraduate Studies’: Soumyo Dutta Gupta, Director, Office of Post Graduate Studies

What’s a student initiative or moment from this year that truly made you feel, ‘Yes, this is why I do what I do‘?

The Office of Postgraduate Studies was set up to support Ashoka students in their higher education journeys, with a core focus on making those opportunities accessible to everyone. At Ashoka, our students come from incredibly diverse backgrounds—financially, culturally, and in so many other ways—which makes this mission more important.

One moment that really affirmed why I do this work was seeing Harsh Jha’s journey this year. Harsh is a scholarship student from the undergraduate batch of 2025, majoring in Political Science with a minor in International Relations. He came to us for help with his postgraduate applications. He had strong academic credentials and was admitted to some of the world’s best universities, including the University of Oxford for an MSc in Comparative Social Policy.

But getting in was only half the battle. Without a full scholarship, attending would have been impossible. Through continuous support from our office and, most importantly, his own perseverance and hard work, Harsh secured the Felix Scholarship.

That moment was incredibly humbling. It wasn’t just about one student making it—it was about what that represented. It sent a message to other students from similar backgrounds that places like Oxford aren’t out of reach. That these spaces aren’t reserved for a select few. And to have played even a role in that journey—that’s exactly why I do what I do.

What has been a key focus area for the office this year, and why was it prioritised?

This year marked the very first year of the Office of Postgraduate Studies, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to build in such a short time. From the very beginning, one of our top priorities was to establish a strong, trust-based relationship with the student body at Ashoka University.

The postgraduate application process can be deeply personal—it involves sharing sensitive information, aspirations, and vulnerabilities. So, earning that trust was foundational.

To that end, one of our key focus areas was offering personalised, one-on-one support. We hosted nearly 100 hours of office hours each month, creating a consistent and approachable space for students to engage with us. We also conducted larger one-to-many sessions and built robust internal databases that students could access for guidance.

Another major focus area this year was strengthening our alumni network and organising impactful events—such as the Higher Ed Fair and the Higher Ed Conclave—which gave students direct access to institutions, resources, and former Ashokans who had walked this path before. These efforts played a huge role in deepening student engagement and building credibility for the office.

We also prioritised creating personalised scholarship support groups tailored to specific opportunities like Inlaks, Felix, Rhodes, Chevening, and others. These groups allowed us to provide more targeted mentorship, which helped several students secure prestigious scholarships this year.

Finally, a central focus—one that ties all of this together—was helping students dream bigger. We encouraged them not just to settle for what felt “safe” or “average,” but to aim for the very best institutions and opportunities globally. That vision was part of why this office was founded in the first place: to raise aspirations and help turn them into reality. And I truly believe we’ve made significant progress on that front.

What were the biggest wins for the office this past year?

The biggest wins for the Office of Postgraduate Studies this past year were both quantitative and qualitative.

On the quantitative side, we saw a remarkable number of successful outcomes in just our first year. Students received 100+ admissions across top universities in the US, UK, Europe, and beyond. From the current graduating batch, we supported students in securing prestigious awards, including one Felix Scholarship, two Inlaks Scholarships, one Chevening Scholarship, and multiple shortlistings for highly competitive awards such as the Rhodes Scholarship. These outcomes speak volumes about the quality of applications and the effectiveness of our support systems.

But just as important were the qualitative wins. One of our proudest achievements was the trust we were able to build with the student body in such a short time. This was fundamental to everything we set out to do, because applying for postgraduate programs is not just about grades or statements, it’s about students feeling safe enough to share their stories, goals, and challenges. Through consistent communication, personalised office hours, and intentional outreach, we became a go-to space for students seeking support in this journey.

We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come in just one year—and we’re committed to growing this impact and sustaining the trust we’ve built in the years to come.