Annual Research Program
Collaboration | Research | Impact
Romesa Razzaq (Pakistan)
“My experience with YCR in 2019 allowed me to express my dedication to improving the environment surrounding us. It allowed me to learn more about the issues and challenges faced by Pakistan and what our youth thinks can be done to resolve these. Given everything I learnt, I worked on challenges such as Women Empowerment and Financial Inclusion for people of all backgrounds in Pakistan. In the UK, I am working towards Youth Empowerment, Women Empowerment and Sustainability as part of the Social Value team and as the Social Ambition Ambassador. Overall, this is an organization I would recommend all youth to try and join and learn from. Not only will it give you an opportunity to network internationally, but it will also boost your knowledge and allow you to find your call”.
Timilehin Paul Ogunnusi (Nigeria)
“Being a researcher at Youth Center for Research at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic was one of the best investments I made towards pursuing my career goal of being a development expert and policy analyst. The research experience I got from the position was helpful in my master’s program in Germany and the opportunity I had to co-host a session for the former Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Nigeria was a memorable moment for me. Finally, interacting with the best brains and like-minds during the position contributed to the development of my soft skills which are paying off today”.
Ananya Kuthiala (India)
“As a researcher in the refugee crises, human rights and peace-building team, I had the opportunity to draft a policy paper in the spheres of conflict, identity and the law. In retrospect, my experience in this thematic area gave me insight into potential lacunae and areas that I am now pursuing. Working with a team of differing nationalities allowed me to hone my time-management skills, my interpersonal communication and broaden my perspective beyond domestic values by incorporating differing experiences. The Centre’s coordination with experts provided rare accessibility to authorities in their respective field providing me with a networking basis which I now find useful when I search for jobs during my master’s Program at the international fora. I would recommend the YCR program as I joined as a researcher and left with a sense of community, gaining international exposure and opening me to avenues I had not previously considered”.
Ebenezer Seigbeh (Liberia)
“The Youth Center for Research Summer Research Program is the first research training program I have ever participated in outside the academic environment. The program was spectacular and particularly important for expanding my horizon on different aspects of research activities. Through the Summer Research program, I have grown my curiosity to dig out information for communication and problem-solving which I currently use at my workplace. It has given me excellent skills in writing research articles, data analysis, and networking. It was a process of learning and unlearning previously known concepts of research. I experienced a paradigm shift in my mind which has improved my thinking, research skills, and my network. In diversity, I immersed myself with potential researchers and academicians, and social entrepreneurs to collectively solve global problems through joint research. Judging from my experience with YCR-Summer Research Program, it’s a home of problem solvers and real change makers”.
Marina Zhilina (Russia)
“I was always interested in a research career and my dream to work on the projects in the developing countries. YCR helped me to expand my expertise and to understand which areas are the most interesting for my future development as a professional. It is one of the most important lines in my CV, which led me to the job opportunities and my master’s degree. I also found a wonderful community of passionate young researchers, who taught me a lot and helped me along my way”.
Tan Xiao Xuan (Singapore)
“YCR has provided a wonderful platform for youths to meet like-minded individuals from all over the world to participate in research for a common topic of concern! This has heightened my undergraduate research experiences previously during the pandemic when I studied from home for close to three years, providing personal mentorships and small group discussions that would otherwise have been difficult to implement on a schoolwide basis for me. The chance to participate in research has also increased my understanding of this field and the powers of academia, while networking with speakers and mentors were inspiring and meaningful!”
Allan Mwaniki Maina (Kenya)
“My time with the Youth Centre for Research was right at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the world adjust to a series of ‘new normals’ during those ‘unprecedented times’. While that was the case, the summer fellowship allowed me to interact with new people, new ways of thinking and new challenges which continue to impact my personal and professional life. Through rigorous training and collaborative research deliverables, my inter and intra-personal skills were challenged and upscaled. I am a proud YCR Alumnus. Asante YCR”.
