41 Morehampton Road, Dublin 4

So, what brought up you here again after 28 years?

GRATITUDE. I feel that this address had a critical role in shaping my career. It gave me wings to fly and reach numerous countries. It’s because of this address that I could transform my dreams into reality. Had this address not been there, probably I could not be what I am today.

During my recent visit to Dublin, I was invited by the Communication and Alumni Officer of ICOS (https://www.internationalstudents.ie/) to visit on 20th December 2023 and have a chat with the ICOS team. It took me to a quarter century back when I had come here as a student under Irish Government Fellowship

I very well remember that as soon as I landed in Dublin on 27th September 1995, a public announcement system directed me to pick up a phone near to the arrival gate. The voice on the other side instructed me to take a cab and reach the address – 41 Morehampton Road, Dublin 4. At the given address, Mr. John, Student Officer at ICOS (https://www.icosirl.ie/) greeted me and gave a brief orientation. Before leaving the office, he informed me that the earlier Indian student could not complete the course as she had a cultural shock and returned. At that time, there were hardly any Indians in Ireland. The Indian embassy later informed me that overall, there were around 300 Indians staying in Ireland, and many of them were in Cork city. ?There is a sea change in the situation now. The Indian embassy recently told me that there are around 80,000 Indians in Ireland in 2023.

Back in the UCD (University College Dublin), I was among the topper in my class. I chose to return to India in 1997 after the study and work in rural development field. Still many people ask me that why didn’t I consider staying back and work here. Probably, my destiny was different, and I was chosen to use my knowledge, skills, and experience in more than 20 countries of Asia and Africa, rather than working in Ireland.

During my recent visit to ICOS, Brian Hearne , Policy and Communication Manager asked me on how ICOS helped me in shaping my career. I responded that without ICOS I wouldn’t have been there where I am now. I have served UNDP as its Chief Technical Advisor in Iran, European Union as its Team Leader in different countries, as well as senior advisor to many bilateral and multilateral agencies across the World. There have been articles and stories published on me in different national and international media on my journey as social entrepreneur.

The ICOS and UCD equipped me with the knowledge and ability to work and contribute to Agriculture and Rural Development field for which I would remain be indebted. I feel it’s a unique ability for a person like me to go deeper in the field to understand and work directly with farmers while having a global perspective and ability to contribute to national and international policies, which I have been doing. I call it as Zoom-in and Zoom-out approach where I can look from micro and macro perspectives both simaltaneously.

I shared with Brian how ICOS empowered me, enabling my son's education at UCD Smurfit Business School without external funding. Additionally, my family and I are relishing our Christmas and New Year festivities in Ireland, courtesy of the foundation laid by ICOS.

Jitendra Sinha

·?????? Co-founder of SAI Sustainable Agro, a multi-national Startup, incorporated in India and USA

·?????? Ex-Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP/GEF and Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of Iran MENARID programme

·?????? Ex-South-South Cooperation and Climate Finance Expert for Bangladesh and Lao PDR by UNDP-Asia Pacific Regional Center, Bangkok

·?????? Ex-Senior Triangular Cooperation Expert for West Africa by EU and India

·?????? Team Leader M & E for World Bank and HP Govt Horticulture Development Project, Himachal Pradesh