Indian policy adviser Pratyush Prabhakar elected HKS student VP for Academic Affairs

Pratyush Prabhakar, a former policy and communications adviser to India's Minister of Railways, has been elected Vice‑President for Academic Affairs of the Harvard Kennedy School's student government. Over 96 countries were represented among the students who voted in the election held on Oct 2, the day India marks Gandhi Jayanti. In his new role Prabhakar will co‑chair the Academic Affairs Committee alongside the dean, raising student concerns on curriculum, advising and other academic matters. He is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration as an Edward S. Mason Fellow, a programme that targets public‑sector professionals from developing nations. Prior to Harvard he also advised the Ministry of Education and founded two organisations, Communeeti and thriWe. During his campaign he quoted Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration and referenced the election date in a post‑election message. The committee provides a formal forum for student input to the school’s leadership, allowing the diverse student body to influence academic policy. Harvard Kennedy School, the graduate school of public policy and government named after President John F. Kennedy, offers programmes in public policy, administration, international development and political governance. Prabhakar’s appointment blends his academic studies with his government experience, giving him a platform to bring perspectives from the international cohort into school deliberations.

Context

Student government roles at HKS give representatives a voice in shaping curricula and advising structures, a practice common in graduate schools to ensure policies reflect student needs.