Abhirami B PGDRI'22

My time at the PGDRI was academically enriching and intellectually stimulating. Studying Future Studies alongside Advanced Research Methods and Advanced Research Writing was particularly useful. In hindsight, it significantly improved how I read, write and process things. The myriad elective options at JGU were also of significant help, especially to those interested in furthering their interests in a niche area. An inherent part of the PGDRI is the student-mentor relationship, and I believe that is what sets the PGDRI apart. I had the opportunity to work closely with my mentor, which enabled me to research and navigate my academic field better. The internship component ties up all the diverse elements of the PGDRI together and gives it a more pragmatic approach.

Prateek Singh Yadav PGDRI'22

Greetings, I am Prateek Singh Yadav, an alumnus of JSLH and a former student of the PGDRI batch of 2021‑2022. As I was on the cusp of completing my undergraduate degree from JSLH in 2021, I came across a new program being offered by the school, being endorsed as an additional fourth year to the undergraduate degree. I quickly realized that quite a lot of prestigious institutions around the globe require their applicants to have a full 16 years of education as a prerequisite. I further garnered that one key aim of the PGDRI was to narrow the learning curve one must go through when upgrading from undergraduate to postgraduate status. Hence, I was hooked, and in hindsight, I am glad I decided to enrol. The program allowed me to learn essential skills required to conduct advanced research. The additional year helped me dive further into my area of interest by taking various electives and pursuing a long‑term internship, which also elevated my resume before grad school. The program structure is designed with a futuristic approach, including a course named future studies. I believe this adds to the program's value as it transforms and differentiates it from a regular advanced research skills program.

Needless to say, the program requires one to write a capstone project (thesis), and the entire writing process truly turns out to be an invaluable addition to not only one's skills but also research experience at such an early stage of their academic career. This thesis might also provide the platform to further engage in higher‑level research on the topic if and when you decide to pursue a graduate degree. The mentorship aspect of the program was one of the key highlights for me. My mentor, Professor Mariya Jilinskaya‑Pandey, taught me many valuable lessons through our meetings over the year‑long process of writing my capstone project. Her teachings continue to aid me immensely in my postgraduate journey as well. Currently, I am pursuing a postgraduate degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Leeds. With the little experience of grad school that I have had now, I can comfortably say that if done right, PGDRI can be just the right bridge to smoothen one's transition from being an undergraduate student to a postgraduate student.