Future Perfect: India’s class of 2007 Goldman Sachs Global Leaders in Mumbai

Those were the best days of my life,” says Sulagna Mookerjee, a second year student of economics (honours), Presidency College, Calcutta. The days she is referring to were the four carefree days spent in Mumbai, courtesy Goldman Sachs.

Now what does an investment banking company have to do with a gauche youngster who dreams big? For one, it tries to turn her dreams into reality. Through Goldman Sachs Foundation, every year, Goldman Sachs identifies and awards a cash prize worth $3,000 to Indian students. This year 29 students had the royal experience. Their air tickets were paid for and they were taken around in AC buses. They dined at the hippest places and the awards ceremony was held at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

Known as the Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program, the programme was kickstarted when the Goldman Sachs Foundation awarded a grant to the Institute of International Education (IIE) to create the Global Leaders Program in 2001. This year, 150 students were selected from over 70 top universities and colleges worldwide.

It was only last year that the programme was introduced in India. Apart from the cash prize, students are awarded the title of Goldman Sachs Global Leaders. Of these, 75 individuals are invited to participate in an intensive week-long seminar at the Global Leaders Institute in New York City — where they get a chance to learn and work alongside their peers and established leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors.

The award was instituted in response to globalisation which demanded that “next generation leaders” think critically and communicate effectively as well as understand the impact of diversity on international affairs. Stephanie Bell Rose, president, Goldman Sachs Foundation, says, “Over the last seven years, it has supported the development of 750 young people worldwide. It is done through leadership training activities that include meetings with leaders from all sectors of society, networking opportunities and support that allows them to put their ideas into action.”

This year, a team had come down from New York, which included Chandlee Barksdale, director, global learning initiatives, IIE. L. Brooks Entwistle, MD and CEO, Goldman Sachs, India gave out the certificates and there was a special address by Keki Dadiseth, international country advisor, Goldman Sachs, India and Central Asia. Alyque Padamsee, CEO, A.P. Advertising Pvt. Ltd delivered the keynote address.

Understandably then, the recognition comes only if you have that “something special” that distinguishes you from an ordinary topper. For instance, last year, a student who had started literacy campaigns in poverty-stricken areas of Delhi and organised disaster-aid for tsunami-stricken regions of south India made the mark.

This year was no different. One of the selected candidates has directed two films while another has aided campaigns for breast cancer awareness and translated a book on the subject. The programme also saw the participation of national quiz champions, science Olympiad gold medallists and amateur astronomers who were research fellows at prestigious astronomy institutes.

The nomination procedure is based on recommendations and can vary from institute to institute and country to country, though an overall consistency in selection methods is maintained by Goldman Sachs.

Says Madhuri Bhaskar of Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, “Professors and faculty members recommended students from every stream of study. On being recommended, we were asked to prepare a short self-introductory piece substantiating why we should be selected. Based on that statement and our prior overall performance, we were nominated for this programme.”

Polina Stefanova Rousseva of American University of Bulgaria went through a similar process. She says, “We were selected after two rounds of screening. I guess my university was looking for academic performance coupled with a liberal sprinkling of extra-curricular activities. And I fit right in.”

The response to this programme has been stupendous. India saw a jump from four global leaders in 2006 to 29 leaders in 2007. Needless to say, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these youngsters who worked hard to win.

Varun Jain, a student of electrical engineering, IIT Kanpur, and one of the awardees is a case in point. “It was an amazing experience and boosted my confidence.”

For Mookerjee, it has been an eye-opener. “I never knew people my age could achieve so much. Also, it opens the floodgates of opportunities. The best part is that Goldman Sachs has provisions for funding social initiatives.”

So, all you dreamers out there, dig gold before you run out of time.

Quick Look

How to apply?
Participating colleges are required to nominate 5-10 students; Presidency (the only one in Eastern India empowered to nominate) nominated eight this year.

What is the deadline?
Varies from country to country; January 22, 2007, was the deadline for India.

What is the selection procedure?
A standard application process — candidates have to send a detailed essay on themselves (hobbies, extra-curricular activities, community service, academic
research, long-term career aspirations, what motivates them to take up a leadership position, leadership roles they have had), two recommendation letters and a CV.

Where is it Located?
Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program, Institute of International Education,
210 Jor Bagh,
New Delhi-110003.
Phone: 011-24654390;
Fax: 011-24652696;
E-mail: vinita_tripathi @yahoo.com;
Website: www.global leadersprogram.com