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Pathways from university to career success are as diverse as the graduates who walk them. But few have travelled a route as impressive as Anuradha Gupta's journey from UOW’s program to a global health game-changer.

Anuradha was already an accomplished civil servant in India's prestigious Indian Administrative Service by the time she arrived at UOW in 1991. Reflecting fondly on her time spent learning down under, she credits her Australian education for refining her leadership approach–emphasising participation, empathy, and human connection.

The lessons learned at UOW shaped her subsequent career spanning more than 30 years, most recently as for the Sabin Vaccine Institute and as Deputy CEO of , expanding immunisation access to millions of children worldwide.

Her work has attracted both Australian and international recognition including the Advance Global Australian Award, UOW’s Alumni Award for Social Impact in 2021, and the prestigious Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award in 2019 for providing sustained access to childhood vaccines in the world’s poorest countries.

Anuradha with her daughters Aastha and Deeksha at Sublime Point Lookout, near the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ campus. Photo: Supplied.

Anuradha shares how UOW provided a multi-generational experience that transcends borders. Her daughters, inspired by their multicultural childhood in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, went on to attend prestigious global institutions and build successful international careers of their own.

What motivated you to attend UOW?

"Though already postgraduates (I had a master’s in English literature while my husband had studied law) with a coveted position in India, we were driven by a deep curiosity to explore the world outside India. We applied for an Australian Government fellowship program for IAS officers and were selected for a one-year postgraduate diploma in Business. However, we were so keen to pursue a full-fledged MBA that we stayed on beyond the stipulated year, completing our degrees in just 18 months by taking additional courses. I worked as a teaching assistant and in the library to support our living expenses."

What do you remember about your first day on campus?

"It was unforgettable—my husband had arrived 10 days ahead of us to arrange family accommodation, a requirement of the fellowship, and had already enrolled in his course. My daughters and I arrived on 27 February, our wedding anniversary. The whole family headed to UOW the next morning to complete my enrolment formalities. The sun was blazing, and after walking a few steps, both daughters—so used to being chauffeured around in India—refused to walk any further and sat by the roadside. With no taxi or public transport in sight, we were at our wits’ end. Lo and behold, a car pulled up, and a Sikh gentleman stepped out to offer us a lift to campus. We were grateful to receive our first important lesson that we needed to buy a car immediately. My husband turned out to be an exceptional chauffeur! And we travelled every weekend to explore the enchanting Australia and its picturesque beaches and landscapes."

Describe your experience as an international student

"UOW invested in making the experience truly enriching for international students. They organised several trips and get-togethers that brought students from different countries together. Our children formed deep friendships with peers from China and Iran, among others. These global connections helped instil in them a cosmopolitan outlook, leading them to attend some of the world’s top institutions—including Stanford, Wharton, Oxford, and Brown."

Anuradha with her husband Parveen Kumar Gupta and their daughters Aastha and Deeksha at the Sydney Opera House. Photo: Supplied.

Did UOW influence your professional approach?

"After returning from Australia, I embraced a much more participatory leadership style, prioritising active and respectful listening and employee motivation. I focused not just on ‘what’ needed to be done but equally on ‘how’ it should be achieved. This approach made me an effective and admired leader, driving radical reforms in the social sector, particularly in education and health. I credit my learning experience at UOW for many of my leadership accomplishments."

What makes UOW stand out?

"My academic experience at UOW was enriching, and the faculty was neither arrogant nor opinionated. They fostered an inclusive classroom environment, welcoming diverse perspectives. My husband and I brought leadership experience and real-world work challenges into discussions, and we found both faculty and classmates highly receptive. At the same time, our MBA studies broadened our horizons, providing new knowledge and insights that shaped our leadership styles, particularly in people management."

Anuradha with former UOW Dean of Commerce, Emeritus Professor Gillian (Gill) Palmer. Photo: Supplied.

How should UOW navigate the next 50 years?

"UOW’s unique distinction lies in not being overly prescriptive. It fosters a truly enabling environment, preparing students to craft and apply non-traditional approaches to audacious challenges. The learning experience at UOW is not generic—each student has the opportunity to open their mind, absorb new knowledge, and apply it in their own way to make the world a better place. I am proud to have attended UOW, which imbued me with undying curiosity, a lifelong learning mindset, self-confidence, and the courage to think outside the box."