Pantnagar Teen Becomes India's Sole UNICEF Youth Foresight Fellow
- Sampada Tiwari, a 16-year-old from Pantnagar, is the only Indian selected for UNICEF's Youth Foresight Fellowship 2025.
- She is leading a national research project to bridge the digital education divide for adolescent girls in resource-poor communities.
- Her work focuses on inclusive curricula and community-based learning models, contributing to global education policy dialogues.
Students of Government Girls’ Inter College in Pantnagar were left inspired after a motivational session by 16-year-old Sampada Tiwari, a Class 12 Humanities student of RAN Public School, Bhurarani. The workshop, focused on “Analysis of New Education Framework Modifications and Learning Methods in Adolescent Girls in India”, shed light on the systemic challenges underprivileged communities face in accessing quality education.
Sampada’s visit was made even more remarkable by her recent selection as the only Indian representative among 15 global Youth Foresight Fellows chosen by UNICEF Innocenti, the research arm of UNICEF. Representing South Asia, she is currently leading a national research project under the 2025 fellowship to address the digital education divide among adolescent girls in resource-poor communities.
Speaking at the event, Sampada said, “My focus is on building inclusive curricula and piloting community-based learning models that can be replicated across India. Working with international researchers and grassroots organisations has been a life-changing experience. I want my research to ensure that no girl is denied access to education because of her background or resources”.
Her work spans across Uttarakhand and Delhi, where she is studying local educational needs while contributing to global education discussions. Using foresight strategies and youth-led policy approaches, Sampada is developing scalable solutions that can improve education access and equity on the ground.
Dr. Bhaskar Tewari, her father and PRO at GB Pant University, expressed pride in her global achievement, calling it a reflection of her deep commitment to educational equality.
Bhawna Bhanot, Principal of RAN Public School, congratulated her saying, “Sampada represents the voice of Indian youth in global policy making. Her innovative approach and community engagement will be vital in shaping inclusive educational solutions”.
Sampada aims to pursue intergovernmental research and entrepreneurship, using the fellowship as a stepping stone to create impactful educational reforms in India and beyond.
