Sweden Alumni Lakshmi is an accomplished educational leader with expertise in mentoring, coaching, and advising. Her achievements include serving as Interim School Director, Educational Leadership Coach, and Board Member of SIETAR India. She also leads the Sweden-India Project – an initiative that emerged in 1994, following her experience as an SI scholarship holder at Örebro University.
Memories of Sweden – then and now
For Lakshmi, Sweden has always been a model for gender equality, innovation, and social responsibility.
‘Sweden stands for gender equity, critical pedagogy, innovation, and vocational education. When I studied there, it was a model of social welfare, and I remember seeing the core principles of social work – dignity, social justice, confidentiality, and respect for clients’ contexts – put into action.’
She also highlights how Sweden’s work culture has influenced her:
‘Transparency in communication, valuing time, and Swedish efficiency have impacted the way I lead an organisation here in India.’
The Sweden-India Project
For the past thirty years, Lakshmi has consistently led her initiative, The Sweden-India Project, fostering cross-cultural learning by providing Swedish social work students with a unique opportunity to explore social challenges in India.
‘The project offers field-based internships, designed to deepen understanding of social issues and interventions in a new cultural context. Cultural adaptation is essential for anyone working across cultures’, she says.
The experience broadens their understanding of culture, language, and norms, challenging their perceptions and offering new perspectives. To date, five Swedish universities have participated, sending around 1,200 students, many of whom now work in Swedish welfare services, refugee management, and integration.
Key takeaways from the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit
In 2024, Lakshmi attended the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit in Stockholm, an opportunity made possible through the Sweden Alumni Academy, which fosters continued growth and connection with Sweden. She describes it as a profoundly enriching experience.
‘It was a wholesome learning experience for me. I gained valuable insights from hearing perspectives from Nobel Laureates, understanding why research and science must guide classroom practices, and realising how rapidly education is evolving.’
Reflecting on the experience, several key moments stand out:
‘Some of my ‘aha’ moments included meeting educators from around the world, visiting Swedish schools with strong pedagogy and student agency, meeting the Nobel Laureates in person, participating in their workshops, and bringing back the knowledge to share through the Teacher Hub.’
Advice for new Sweden Alumni
Lakshmi continues to strengthen the connection between Sweden and India, inspiring future generations of changemakers and Sweden Alumni. For international students about to finish their studies in Sweden, she offers this advice:
‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in one of the world’s most progressive societies. Absorb the learning, the values this culture offers, its passion for innovation and sustainability, and its care for the environment and ever-evolving educational ecosystem.’