Haroon Nabi
Parsa Mufti becomes the first Kashmiri female and among five Indian students to receive the world’s eminent and distinguished graduate fellowship as a Schwarzman Scholar.
Schwarzman College is located on the campus of Tsinghua University in Beijing, the capital of China and the Mufti will rub shoulders with 200 budding leaders during this world’s most prestigious graduate fellowships.
Parsa is a resident of Bijbehara area of Anantnag in south Kashmir, which was one of the volatile hotspots of Kashmir during 2016 unrest.
According to Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC), Parsa Mufti studied in Presentation Convent Jammu and then graduated in law from Amity University in New Delhi. She is a lawyer and political strategist, and works for the Samruddha Bharat Foundation in New Delhi, where she works with leaders across various political parties. She also heads The Tryst, which has more than 3.9 lakh subscribers on YouTube.
Parsa Mufti said that she applied for the scholarship in September, was shortlisted for an interview in October and finally selected in November.
Schwarzman Scholars has an acceptance rate of only 3%, making it one of the most competitive scholarships in the world. Schwarzman Scholars, located at Schwarzman College on the campus of Tsinghua University in Beijing, announced its seventh cohort. From an initial pool of nearly 3,000 applicants, the admissions team selected 151 Schwarzman Scholars from 33 countries and 106 universities.
Every year, up to 200 future leaders from the U.S., China and the rest of the world matriculate as Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University in Beijing to pursue a one-year Master’s Degree. Scholars chosen for this highly selective program have demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities and the potential to understand and bridge cultural and political differences.
The Schwarzman Scholars Class of 2023, which will enroll in August 2022, is comprised of an exceptional group of individuals, including a Scholar who won NASA’s design competition, a member of the Canadian Prime Minister’s Youth Council, several candidates on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List, a founder of an AI-powered investment platform, a founder of a nonprofit that delivered 20,000 pounds of fresh food to frontline workers during COVID-19, a Scholar recognized as one of the 9 most influential women under 25 in New Zealand, a founder of an AI startup to improve the communication skills of people with autism, a Scholar who founded his own spacecraft systems company at 15, the managing Director of the Oxford Strategy Group among others.
“The seventh cohort is an impressive group,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, Founding Trustee of Schwarzman Scholars.
“The world needs Schwarzman Scholars now more than ever before. We are confident that these extraordinary young people will seize this opportunity to act with intellect and integrity, address pressing global issues, deepen cross-cultural connections, and fulfill the mission of Schwarzman Scholars: to create a steadfast network of future global leaders.”
Scholars were selected through a rigorous application process designed to identify leadership potential, intellect, and strength of character. Over 400 candidates were invited to interview virtually in Beijing, London, New York or Singapore. Candidates from 55 countries spoke with panels of CEOs, government officials, university presidents, journalists, and non-profit executives, among others.
“This year’s application process was incredibly competitive,” said Cordel Faulk, Director of Global Admissions.
“The accomplishments of the admitted class speak for themselves. This group of young people is nothing less than extraordinary. We are all very excited to welcome these next generation leaders into the Schwarzman Scholars community. This is a vital moment in global affairs that needs them.”
Many Kashmiri young students who are aspiring to top academic universities in the world feel encouraged by Parsa Mufti’s feat and see her as an inspiration for them.
“This is truly a big feat for Kashmir and the entire Jammu and Kashmir. It has proved that despite the uncertain situation we are living in, our youth can excel anywhere in the world,” said Abida, from south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
“Women in Kashmir have always excelled when they have attempted for success. Despite the volatile situation and conservative social structure, we have shown that we are not far behind the men in the world,” said Muntaha Jahan, a university student after reading about Parsa’s achievement. (KDC)