Carnegie Mellon University case study - Bharati Das

Bharati Das was working as a senior manager in a large government ministry in New Delhi.  She had amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience working in Indian bureaucracy, which included a senior post in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, when the opportunity arose to spend a year studying at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in Adelaide, Australia.  Bharati was well aware of Carnegie Mellon University’s global reputation for excellence, and was delighted when she was accepted on to the Master of Science in Public Policy and Administration at CMU’s Heinz School in Adelaide.

She remembers being thrilled at the prospect of relocating to Adelaide to study in South Australia’s capital city (population 1.5 million people).  In particular, Bharati said she was familiar with the city because of its famous cricket ground, the Adelaide Oval, and because it was home to the late Sir Donald Bradman.  She said that, “Like most Indians, I watch a lot of cricket and I had seen several matches from Adelaide Oval on television.”

On her arrival, Bharati found there were many advantages to living and studying in Adelaide.  “It’s a very convenient city for students – compact and a quieter lifestyle - but what I like most is that it’s a Festival City and there is always a cultural activity to attend.”  Bharati was accompanied by her daughter who attended Adelaide High School and were both very happy with the education she received.  Her son  was unable to accompany them to Adelaide, but she said that ironically some of his friends had enrolled at Carnegie Mellon’s Pittsburgh campus.

Asked to sum up her experience of living in Adelaide and studying at Carnegie Mellon University, Bharati said that it had been a very enriching experience and that she had found the faculty and staff to be very considerate and helpful.  She described her studies as demanding but she enjoyed working on global economy research papers to which other Indian students had contributed.  Asked if she would like to pass on any advice to prospective students, Bharati said that the course demands a very high standard of commitment, but students who persevere will come out of it with professionally enhanced skills which will enable them to do extremely well in their chosen careers.

Often it is the case that postgraduate education does not provide students with training in real life situations.  But Bharati said about her year at Carnegie Mellon University, “It is aligned to real life situations – we have developed a database for the Office of Premier and Cabinet and a strategic plan for an affordable housing organisation.”  At the time of this interview taking place, Bharati was working on a research paper which will be submitted to Pittsburgh.

Asked to reflect on the differences between the Indian and Australian public sectors, Bharati said the style of work in the public sector in Australia was more informal and more accessible with less hierarchy than existed in its Indian counterpart.  For example, in Australia more resources existed in areas such as IT and there existed a greater commitment to improving the work culture.

A highlight of her time in Adelaide has been receiving two letters of appreciation from the government departments to which her group provided assistance and mixing with students from all around the world.

“We are one big family,” she said.  “My friends are from the Philippines, Africa, Indonesia, the Maldives and of course Australia.” 

Life has not all been hard work and Bharati spoke enthusiastically about the opportunity she had taken to travel to Kangaroo Island where she saw kangaroos, koalas and, best of all, seals.  Other favourite spots include the world-famous Barossa Valley wine-growing region, the River Murray and the many shopping malls. 

“The people in Adelaide are very fine. They are very polite and helpful,” she added.

After returning home to India last November, Bharati says that shi is "much more self-confident, self-sufficient and savvy than before".

Her knowledge has also expanded with a strong emphasis on analysis of the global economy and case studies on many countries.  Bharati completed a paper on organisational management for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation which will be regarded by that organisation as a valuable resource.

“I think my experience at Carnegie Mellon will make it very easy for the rest of my life,” she said.  “I would particularly recommend the program to young people because they will be able to maximise the benefits and provide them with tremendous opportunities.”

Bharati added that she has been collecting lots of information on studying in Adelaide in the hope of possibly returning to do further study or to educate her children.

The Adelaide campus of Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Public Policy and Management opened in 2006. It offers a range of scholarships for its master’s degrees. For more information, visit http://www.heinz.cmu.edu.au/ . For further details on our programs click here for MSIT and here for MSPPM.