Emon Nandi : Bringing Knowledge to Action
Bringing Knowledge to Action: My Experience at NORRAG, Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland
By Emon Nandi
As an Assistant Professor at the Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education (CETE) at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, India, my teaching and research interests lie in the Economics of Education, Education and Development, and Higher Education. This interest has helped me engage in the research project Innovative Financing for Education to Leave No One Behind, anchored by NORRAG, the Global Education Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute. The project aims to understand whether, how and under what conditions innovative financing mechanisms contribute to improving efficiency, ensuring effectiveness and bringing in additional funding in the education sector in India and in other countries.
In May-June 2024, I had the opportunity to be a visiting scholar at NORRAG in Geneva, Switzerland. My visit was possible due to the generous Knowledge to Action (K2A) Mobility Grant awarded by SWISSNEX and the IFE-2-Leave No One Behind project. The primary goal of this visit was to strengthen the collaboration between the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and the Geneva Graduate Institute and to further the research on innovative finance for education. This experience was not only enriching from a research perspective but also from an intellectual and cultural standpoint. Here’s a glimpse of what I got to experience during my time in Geneva.
Strengthening TISS-NORRAG Partnership
At the core of my visit was the opportunity to deepen the partnership between TISS and NORRAG. The project, focusing on innovative financing mechanisms in education, aims to explore how new financial mechanisms can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of educational systems, particularly in the Global South. During my stay, I worked on deliverables for this project and engaged with colleagues at NORRAG to discuss research progress and the next steps.
Engaging with Students at the Graduate Institute
One of the highlights of my visit was interacting with students in a class led by Dr. Chanwoong Baek, Academic Director of NORRAG. We discussed the role of universities as “knowledge brokers” and how institutions like TISS engage with various actors in the policy space to influence change. It was fascinating to explore how knowledge brokering works in the Global North and South. The students’ insights were valuable, and their thoughtful questions helped me refine my perspectives on the subject.
Discussing Innovative Financing at Geneva Impact Investing Association
Another memorable moment was delivering a talk on innovative financing in education at an event organized by the Geneva Impact Investing Association. Sharing the stage with a fellow speaker from the Jacobs Foundation, Switzerland, I had the chance to present how innovative financing mechanisms can lead to more and better impact. The discussion with the young scholars in the audience was stimulating, and their feedback sharpened my understanding of the global discourse on financing education.
Exploring New Collaborations with the University of Geneva and the Centre for Finance and Development at the Graduate Institute of Geneva
Another exciting part of the trip was my discussion with Prof. Nathan Sussman at the Centre for Finance and Development, Geneva Graduate Institute. We explored possibilities for collaboration between TISS, NORRAG, and their Centre, specifically in the realm of financing education. It became clear that there is immense value in exchanging knowledge between these institutions, particularly when it comes to developing innovative financial solutions for the education sector.
I also had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Giuseppe Ugazio and Mara de Monte at the University of Geneva. Dr. Ugazio is an Associate Professor at the Geneva Finance Research Institute, while Mara de Monte is the Executive Director of the Centre for Philanthropy. Our conversations revolved around the potential for future collaborations between TISS, NORRAG, and the University of Geneva, particularly in the area of philanthropy in education—a topic that aligns closely with our ongoing research.
The Role of the Private Sector in Education: A Panel Discussion
One of the most impactful moments of my visit was being part of a panel discussion organized by NORRAG at the Geneva Graduate Institute. The topic was the role of private sector approaches in education, which spanned areas like private schooling, corporate social responsibility, and public-private collaborations to generate evidence. Alongside esteemed co-panelists—Prachi Srivastava, Clare Woodcraft, Moira Faul, and Marina Dreux Frotte—I had the privilege of sharing my insights on the role of corporate social responsibility and the barriers to evidence-based research in Indian education sector. The panel was thought-provoking and shed light on how the private sector can contribute to evidence-based research in the field of education.
As I reflect on my time in Geneva, I am deeply thankful to SWISSNEX and NORRAG for facilitating this mobility grant. It has been an invaluable opportunity for knowledge exchange, networking, and exploring new collaborations in the field of education. The experiences I gained during this visit have broadened my understanding of innovative financing in education and strengthened my commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of quality education.