Sunita Kaistha

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

HONORARY CONFERRING

TEXT OF THE INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PROFESSOR Dolores O’Riordan, Vice-President of Global Engagement on 6 December 2022, on the occasion of the conferring of the Degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa on Dr Sunita Kaistha.

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The mission of UCD is to advance knowledge, to pursue truth and to foster learning, in an atmosphere of discovery, creativity and innovation, drawing out the best in each student and contributing to the social, cultural and economic life of Ireland in the wider world. Dr Sunita Kaistha makes an outstanding contribution to the mission of our University and is honoured today for that contribution.

Dr Sunita Kaistha was introduced to UCD in 2002 by then UCD chaplain, the now deceased Father Tony Coote. Fr Tony had a vision for UCD students to graduate with an understanding of the challenges facing humanity worldwide, and the determination to tackle the issues underlying global poverty and inequality. To realise this vision Fr Tony founded University College Dublin Volunteers Overseas or as we refer to it UCDVO.

Dr Kaistha played a leadership role in UCDVO’s volunteer engagement in Delhi from 2002 to 2013, and indeed her involvement with UCDVO continues to this day. Dr Kaistha has made a significant contribution towards UCDVO’s vision; a vision for “the UCD Community to have an in-depth understanding of the challenges facing humanity worldwide, and the determination and commitment to tackling issues underlying global poverty and inequality.”

From 2002 to 2013, over 250 volunteers from UCD and approximately 50 volunteers from universities in Delhi worked together to implement a number of education, physiotherapy and construction projects primarily based in slum areas around the city. While UCDVO no longer operates a volunteer programme in Delhi, UCDVO continues to support their partner organisations where possible. Dr Kaistha coordinates the funding which UCDVO allocates to these Delhi projects.

The ten-year partnership between UCDVO and the Society for Working Life (the NGO established by Dr Kaistha) have made many significant achievements. Some examples include:

• Construction of the Community Education and Development Centre in Sangam Vihar slum area, funded by Irish Aid.
• Established a daily meal scheme at the centre, providing meals for 80 girls each day throughout the year.
• Running a Physiotherapy programme in a Mother Teresa Home for 7 years resulting in a full-time physiotherapist being employed and a dedicated space for daily physiotherapy sessions.
• Construction of a playground for Missionaries of Charity children’s home.
• Construction of eight houses in slum areas with Habitat for Humanity.
• Established a physiotherapy programme for homeless men at Antyodaya
  Shelter.
• Provided literacy programme for thousands of children living in slum areas.
• Encouraged creativity with English, arts and crafts, music, dance programmes for hundreds of boys at Salaam Baalak Trust. This centre recently hosted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their tour of India.
• Organised day trips to Delhi Zoo, India Gate, Rail Museum, Lotus Temple for hundreds of children living in slum areas around the city – where no doubt
  lots of fun was had by all.
• Refurbished schools, care homes and shelters.
• Provided educational resources, clothing, medical supplies, and
  physiotherapy equipment for shelters, schools and care homes.
• Training programmes for women’s groups.

Without the passion and commitment of Dr Kaistha to UCDVO and to UCD’s global engagement agenda, we would not have been able to secure the same opportunities for UCD students and staff to contribute to key development projects in India. Her passion and collaboration with UCD have led to very positive significant impacts on the lives of children and women. I am fortunate to have experienced first hand some of the wonderful initiatives of Dr Kaistha in Delhi.

Dr Kaistha’s career has embraced academia, public service and social activism, with a strong unifying concern with the rights and opportunities of women and children.

Dr. Sunita Kaistha is an Associate Professor in the Department of Commerce at Jesus and Mary College (University of Delhi). Her doctoral degree was in International Trade and she holds an M. Phil in Human Resource Development. Her special focus is on Gender, Work and Health.

Dr. Kaistha was on the Advisory Board to develop the Postgraduate and M. Phil course for Gender and Development Studies for the School of Gender and Development Studies of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. With Gothenburg University, Dr Kaistha has been instrumental in establishing The Sweden India Gender Network (SIGN), a platform for collaboration between researchers and universities in Sweden and India. In 2003, she founded the NGO The Society for Working Life, which has established literacy centres for children and women. In 2006 she co–founded the Women Work & Health Initiative for literacy and income generation programs for girl children, women and youth.

Dr Kaistha, you have devoted your knowledge, skills and commitment to enhancing the lives of women, through education, finance and political rights. Your tireless campaigning has both demonstrated and raised awareness of the significance of gender inequality. You continue to champion for true equality for women in India, and for these actions we honour you today.

Praehonorabilis Praeses, totaque Universitas,

Praesento vobis hunc meum filium, quem scio tam moribus quam doctrina habilem et idoneum esse qui admittatur, honoris causa, ad gradum Doctoratus utroque Jure, tam Civili quam Canonico; idque tibi fide mea testor ac spondeo, totique Academiae.