Mentorship as Diplomacy? Developing Global Citizens Across BRICS Nations
- Sep 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Priyya Dutt recently co-authored and presented her first research paper along with Yashasvie Bhardwaj, a graduate student of Organisational Psychology at IILM University, Gurugram, at the 4th International BRICS-RI Research Conference, hosted by Pandit Deendayal Energy University and the BRICS Research Institute South Africa.
The paper, “Mentorship for Global Citizenship: A Multicultural, Multi-Stakeholder Framework for Cross-Cultural Student Development,” introduces the BRICS-GEM (Global Education Mentorship) Model, a framework connecting government, industry, and academia to create psychologically safe, cross-cultural student cohorts.
The model emphasizes:
Cultural Sensitivity – fostering understanding across diverse student populations
Emotional Safety – enabling authentic expression and personal growth
Progressive Autonomy – nurturing empathy, leadership, and resilience
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), the framework provides a scalable approach for multilateral and bilateral collaborations, preparing students to navigate both academic and professional global contexts.
Conference Highlights:
Shri Dammu Ravi, IFS (Retd) emphasized that “economic solutions are the most important part BRICS can deliver,” highlighting the need for youth who are both skilled and globally competent.
Ms Ardra Agarwal, IAS (Government of Gujarat) stressed that real transformation happens when theory meets practice, outlining four pillars of Mission Viksit Bharat @2047, Prosperity with Inclusivity, Sustainability, Innovation & Technology, and Human Capital Development grounded in the values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The World is One”).
Reflections on BRICS diplomacy, government-academia partnerships, and cross-border mentorship demonstrated the power of structured mentorship in cultivating globally literate, future-ready youth.
As an alumna of PDEU’s School of Liberal Studies, returning to present her research was a meaningful milestone. Priyya’s work illustrates how structured mentorship programs can bridge local identity with global citizenship. She looks forward to extending this research through collaborations with universities, governments, and institutions across BRICS and beyond.
Engage with the Discussion:
Discover more about Priyya’s research and join the conversation on LinkedIn.
Comments