“I’m thriving,” says Girish, “thanks to the warm welcome from the whole Lucy Cavendish community.” Originally from India, Girish moved to London in 2005 and had never lived or worked in Cambridge. 

“I’m enjoying this so much,” Girish adds, “for example, joining the recent University visit to India was really interesting…Seeing, from the ‘inside’, the power and the pull of Cambridge for our alumni; their warmth, pride and engagement, regardless of how long ago they graduated. The oldest alum we met graduated in the 1960s!” 

Girish travelled with Cambridge’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice, and a senior delegation to Delhi and Mumbai, where the Vice-Chancellor announced the launch of the Cambridge-India Centre for Advanced Studies with a focus on innovation, research and learning.  

Girish comments on the alumni events, “I was impressed by how much the alumni were mingling, not just sitting in their college groups; they made the most of the active networking opportunities.” 

Accompanying Girish was the College’s Director of Development, Jo Ryan, on her first-ever visit to the country. She says, “It was lovely to meet alumni in the flesh whom I had been corresponding with for years, as well as recent graduates, and to hear how their careers are progressing.” 

Jo steered Girish into meeting as many people as possible for face-to-face discussions, helping to create new connections and unlock networks. “People were curious about my Indian background” says Girish. “They wanted to know which region I came from. I even met a friend who I didn’t realise was a Cambridge alum!” 

Girish and Jo are working to establish a President’s Scholarship to support outstanding students from India wishing to study at Lucy Cavendish College. The initiative will provide dedicated financial support, attract exceptional applicants, and strengthen the College’s growing links with India. The Scholarship Fund will be formally launched later this year (see 'Find out more', below).

 “The most rewarding part of my job is interacting with so many brilliant youngsters”, enthuses Girish, “they’re so friendly and curious. One of them persuaded me to come along to Jack’s Gelato, his favourite ice-cream parlour in town, and then videoed us doing a dance together; it’s gone viral on Instagram, with over 63,000 views already!” 

Girish went on to talk about his other plans for Lucy Cavendish. “The College is only 60 years old, so we describe this as the place where tradition meets modernity. We benefit from the centuries-old Cambridge ecosystem yet we can define our ambitions differently.” 

Jo points out that when Lucy Cavendish was founded, it was specifically for the most under-represented group of students at that time: mature women. Having transformed in recent years to accept all ages and all genders, “we are now continuing that thread by encouraging the most under-represented groups today to come and study here. This is the first and only Cambridge college where over 90% of UK undergraduates come from state schools,” says Jo, proudly. Student numbers have quadrupled, “plus we are culturally and internationally extremely diverse.” 

“It’s a collective endeavour,” emphasises Girish. “My focus is on enabling the entire community to subscribe to this agenda.”  That includes putting plenty of resources into wellbeing, with an excellent pastoral support team, and there are plans to increase provision in and engagement with non-curricular activities such as music and sport, which can enrich the student experience. 

Navigate to the College's home page, and you will be greeted with the headline ‘Inclusion, Innovation, Impact’. “These are our unique selling points, says Girish, explaining that “our ambitions align closely with UN Sustainable Development goals,” where he can draw extensively on his previous experience in international charities including UNICEF UK, ActionAid and WaterAid UK. “We are preparing young people to explore where they can make a meaningful contribution and create a positive impact. Our aim is to nurture their ambitions and support them in fulfilling their potential, whether that leads to formal leadership roles or to leading through action, purpose, and example."

Find out more

If you are interested in learning more about the President's Scholarship and how you could support it, email: cirf@admin.cam.ac.uk.