IPAA Task Force

The IPAA Task Force is a think tank for generating and discussing ideas and ways forward. Its members are PhD alumni and a current PhD researcher. It is chaired by the Deputy rector of Research Affairs and administered by the PhD alumni coordinator.

The ISS PhD Alumni Association (IPAA) is a platform for PhD alumni and the institute. The association is owned by both the institute and the PhD alumni. A strong link with current PhD researchers is of importance to secure that the association’s approach is dove-tailed to alumni interests.

Roles and responsibilities of the IPAA Task Force

The Committee members are appointed for two years, with the possibility to extend their term with another two years. Replacement should be guided so as to balance continuity and renewal.

Committee members will appoint a chair.
Committee members are volunteers. Service on the Task Force is public knowledge and the Committee members agree to have their biographical information publicized on the ISS website, printed materials, social media channels and the like.
Committee members should be willing to work with ISS and contribute time. They should be enthusiastic about the association and have an ability to motivate and engage alumni.
Specifically, committee members should support the key activities of the association including the development of various platforms, conferences, news sharing, blogs, newsletters and on/-offline events.
Committee members should actively participate in bi-monthly meetings.
In addition to the main meetings, Committee members may participate in Task Force working groups which are formed on an ad-hoc basis in order to advise IPAA or ISS on specific topics. Such working groups are temporary and will be disbanded once their main purpose has been achieved.
Committee members may address all issues related to alumni relations, marketing and reputation management.
Committee members act as ambassadors of ISS.

IPAA Task Force members

Find out more about the members by clicking on their names.

They can be contacted for any questions, observations, etc. Scroll to the bottom of this page for their email addresses.

Professor Arjun Bedi (Deputy Rector Research Affairs, Chair IPAA Task Force)
Aspirations for IPAA - 'I think of IPAA as a forum to connect, inspire and motivate. To connect and reconnect our PhD alumni with ISS and with the current crop of PhD researchers. For our PhD alumni and ISS to mutually inspire and rejuvenate each other through conversations, ideas, experiences and stories.'
Sanghamitra Chakravarty (Current PhD researcher at ISS)
Aspirations for IPAA - 'To contribute towards enabling the current PhD researchers at ISS to benefit from the alumna network for advancement of their research and career.'
Luis Carlos Jemio (ISS alumnus, Project Team Leader in the EU funded Project for providing Technical Assistance to the Fiscal Policy in El Salvador)
Aspirations for IPAA - 'Contribute towards IPAA’s main objective of building its community to connect, exchange and collaborate, and to revive memories and relationships with each other.'
Dr Donald Mmari (PhD alumnus, Executive Director REPOA, Tanzania)
Aspirations for IPAA - 'To broaden network for knowledge exchange, information sharing and future collaborations.'
Professor Mallika Pinnawala (ISS alumna, Professor in Sociology and Director of the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
Aspirations for IPAA - 'To promote research activity in global level between academics as well as non academics who interest for research. To make a strong bridge between current PhD students in ISS and PhD alumni. To establish country-wide ISS alumni.'
Dr Shyami Puvimanasinghe (ISS alumna, Human Rights Officer, UNHCR, Geneva, Switzerland)
Aspirations for IPAA - 'To support the ISS mission through connecting and reconnecting ISS PhD alumni, PhD researchers and beyond, contributing to professional and personal growth; to enhance collaboration, partnerships and networks on development studies and practice; and to nurture mutually reinforcing exchanges between the ISS/EUR PhDs and the global development community.'
Dr Holly Ritchie (ISS alumna, Independent consultant)
Aspirations for IPAA - 'To facilitate connections and exchange between ISS PhD Alumni for personal networking and professional development; to promote academic/non-academic research exchange and collaboration; to spearhead a mentoring scheme between PhD alumni and current PhD candidates (to support doctoral study and post PhD options).'