NEWSLETTER
May 4, 2018
In the developing world, 95% of people with a clinically significant mental illness receive no treatment at all, and it costs the global economy an estimated trillion dollars a year. Vikram Patel is an Indian psychiatrist and The Pershing Square Professor of Global Health at Harvard Medical School. In this podcast, The Mittal Institute's Hasit Shah spoke with him about mental illness initiatives in South Asia, research projects, and his upcoming participation in the 2018 Symposium.
In anticipation of her upcoming book, The Mittal Institute Research Affiliate Vineeta Sinha sat down with us to discuss her work on the Hindu Diaspora in Singapore and her thoughts on being a woman in academia. "Sitting on recruitment and reviewing committees and on management boards, I have witnessed that even my lone presence as a woman tempers the tone of the discussion and prevents loaded and blatantly sexist and even racist questions to be raised — even if it is just for political correctness," she says.
This year's Nepal Studies Program is led by Leonard van der Kuijp, Professor of Tibetan and Himalayan Studies. He is holding an upcoming conference on Buddhism in Nepal throughout history and its current state. "The Kathmandu Valley houses both public and private libraries, as well as countless Buddhist manuscripts, so Nepalese Buddhism has played a very important role in the preservation and the continued development of late Indian Buddhism," he says. The one-day event takes place on Monday, May 7th from 1-6 PM.
The deadline for applications to the Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program has been extended to Thursday, May 31. Our Director, Professor Tarun Khanna, says it's one of the greatest teaching experiences he's had at Harvard. If you're an undergraduate or recent graduate from South Asia, the Middle East or Africa — and the first in your family to attend college — you should apply!
The Harvard Art Museums (HAM) have always been leaders in art conservation and industry advancements. In this talk, Francesca Bewer offers an overview of how scientific procedures were incorporated into the care and study of works at HAM, and how that led to its becoming a crucible for art conservation in the US. She talks about interactions between scientists, restorers, art connoisseurs, art historians, museum professionals, artists, and students - and when the boundaries of expertise began to shift.
As a specialist in human rights and migration studies, Jacqueline Bhabha examines the current state of aid to Syrian refugees and how the necessary resources are falling short. "Drastic shortfalls in international aid and constantly growing numbers and need have led to increasingly inadequate situations for refugees in the region. In 2014, three years into the conflict, less than two-thirds of the humanitarian aid budget required to address basic needs inside Syria was received."
As private schools are on the rise, education is becoming more of a marketplace. For non-private schools, researchers like Asim Khwaja are testing the impact of report cards on student retention, enrollment, and academic success. By providing grade information to students, Khwaja and his team found benefits: "Information provision facilitates better comparisons across providers, and improves market efficiency and child welfare through higher test scores, enrollment, and lower fees."
CAMBRIDGE EVENTS
May 4, 10:30 AM-6 PM, CGIS South
The Mittal Institute's eighth Annual Symposium will explore Knowledge Translation from the points of view of arts conservation, youth and mental health, and the role of science and technology in emerging economies. The event is free and open to the public.
Monday, May 7, 1-6 PM, CGIS South S020
As part of the Nepal Studies Program, Leonard van der Kuijp , Professor of Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, will lead a conference titled “Buddhism in Nepal, Past and Present.” Based on medieval documents and modern practice, this conference will explore the spread and development of Buddhism in the India-Nepal-Tibet corridor. The conference will include presenters from both the U.S. and Nepal.
Wednesday, May 9, 12:15-1:45 PM, CGIS South, S354
David Engerman , Ottilie Springer Professor of History at Brandeis University will talk about the main themes and historical events of his book, The Price of Aid: The Economic Cold War in India. His publication looks at the strategic thinking at the heart of development assistance — as well as the political costs, specifically as it pertains to India during the end of the Cold War.
Sunday, May 12, 8 AM-9 PM Harvard Faculty Club
The Bangladesh Rising Conference will discuss how Bangladesh can maintain its momentum and potentially accelerate the growth achieved in the last decade. The conference will host practitioners, academics, and high-level government officials to discuss the ways the country can advance further and avoid pitfalls. It will include important topics such as financial inclusion, foreign investment, generation of electricity, and sustainable development goals.
FLASHBACK FRIDAY
On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, The Mittal Institute traveled to the Bay Area for a roundtable discussion on Innovative Solutions to India’s Healthcare Problems. In collaboration with USAID and the South Asian Healthcare Leadership Forum (SAHLF), the event explored the current ecosystem surrounding India’s healthcare system, and avenues that should be further explored for identifying worthwhile investments in healthcare. The 35 event attendees came from varying backgrounds, including practitioners and Harvard alumni.