Ms. Vijayalakshmi Gurulingam, an alumna of the College for Integrated Studies (CIS), the University of Hyderabad (UoH), is going to join the British Civil Service as a Policy Officer. Vijayalakshmi majored in Political Science in June 2022.
During her undergraduate studies, she received scholarships from Santander through the University of Hyderabad and attended summer programmes at the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, in 2021 and 2022. These experiences allowed her to research global challenges and policy responses, significantly enhancing her understanding of complex international issues.
Subsequently, Vijayalakshmi pursued an MSc in International Social and Public Policy at the The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) UK, specializing in development. In the summer of 2023, she was selected by the LSE to attend a summer programme by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Bank in Luxembourg on sustainable finance. Vijayalakshmi was also awarded a scholarship for an intensive programme at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, where she worked on ESG and sustainable finance.
Fondly recollecting her days in the University of Hyderabad, Vijayalakshmi shares her journey of self-discovery. She says, “Reflecting on the past few years, I recognise that my journey has been filled with uncertainty, valuable lessons, and moments of self-discovery. The University of Hyderabad was foundational in shaping my academic and personal growth. The supportive environment fostered by professors, particularly Prof. Sanjay Subodh and Prof. B V Sharma, and the diverse educational opportunities provided through UoH’s Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with globally reputed institutions broadened my horizons and fuelled my passion for public policy. The conducive environment for student societies also created a nurturing atmosphere that helped me connect better with peers and the world beyond academics”.
We, the University of Hyderabad community, are immensely proud of Vijayalakshmi as she embarks on this new chapter in her life. We congratulate her on joining the British Civil Service and wish her all the success in her future endeavours.