At Rolls-Royce we’re committed to building positive relationships that contribute to the economic development and social wellbeing of communities where we operate.
The Chevening Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Programme (CRISP) is a unique initiative, providing a platform for future leaders from India and Sri Lanka who are building their careers in science related industries. Launched in 2011, CRISP exposes attendees to a range of innovative management processes practised in the UK and provides the opportunity to form a community of science and innovation experts.
The CRISP programme emphasises connections between research, innovation, policy and leadership and scholars are encouraged to implement their valuable experiences and learnings in their respective fields, helping to contribute to India’s economic and social future.
Shabnam Siddiqui, Director of Centre of Excellence for Governance, Ethics and Transparency at the United Nations Global Compact Network India, attended the ten-week programme in 2017. Armed with two degrees - a Masters in Sociology from India, a Masters in International Peace Studies from USA and a third currently underway - a PhD in Public Policy from Singapore, Shabnam explains that the CRISP fellowship has enhanced her understanding of business and helped her bring new ideas to her current role.
We asked about her experience during the CRISP programme:
Why did you choose to apply for the CRISP Fellowship?
Every few years I take a break to pursue academia to keep myself up to date with the latest developments in the field that I work in. At this point in my professional journey, I felt that a short term course would help to expand my knowledge and enhance my area of expertise. The CRISP programme turned out to be the ideal platform to acquire skills in the field of science, innovation, policy and leadership, all which have been crucial for my personal and professional growth.
What was your overall experience of the programme?
The 10-week course at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, was everything it promised. The tailor-made course included a range of learning environments – from classroom presentations, lectures, site visits, theory and practice – there wasn’t a dull moment! The programme also included demonstrations at Rolls-Royce facilities in the UK. Exposure to such a wide spectrum of knowledge and innovation solutions was insightful and allowed me to explore initiatives that can be replicated in India.
Overall, CRISP provided an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development as well as exposure to UK specialists in the field of science and innovation.
How did the CRISP programme benefit you in your current role?
I have benefited from the contacts and network made throughout the programme as I had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with a wide variety of specialists. The programme encourages participants to develop lasting relationships that will act as a strong support network to continue expanding on our learnings, especially after the course has been completed.
Did you gain any personal benefits from the programme?
I personally benefited from the programme in two specific areas.
My background is not based in science, so it was both challenging and insightful to get back to basics and learn from scratch at the science oriented learning sessions. I was inspired by innovations that we had exclusive access to – from driverless cars; 3-D enterprises or the Nexton mission that deploys subsea technologies to explore the deep ocean and accelerate its sustainable governance.
While my academic background is in sociology, international peace studies and public policy, businesses are the key stakeholders in the work that I am involved in at UN Global Compact India. The CRISP programme focused on growth and understanding at multiple levels and participants were from diverse backgrounds including science, public administration, NGO’s, academia and Research & Development. This encouraged an interesting exchange of ideas and the support from both Oxford University and Rolls-Royce made a significant positive impact on the course.
Do you think science and innovation plays an important role in India’s future?
With India on the right path of accelerated development, policy oriented work needs to be driven by science and innovation. Pushing the boundaries and supporting the development of science and innovation can help to drive and sustain growth and economic development in India. Courses such as the CRISP programme offer an excellent opportunity for leaders from India and Sri Lanka to make positive steps in this area. Rolls-Royce is actively involved with a wide range of experts such as scholars, professors, scientists, policy experts and innovators, who are all alumni of the course. These people are a very resourceful bank for furthering science and innovation and building strong research minds in the country.
This course was a life-enriching experience for me and I look forward to continuing to work with the alumni to develop our ideas through our strong support network.
For more information on Chevening Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Programme and details on how to apply, visit here: http://www.chevening.org/programme/crisp