Alumnus Kavish Bisseswar is fighting inequality in educational systems

"In the end, your education at University College Utrecht is not just about obtaining high grades, but also about developing yourself as a person," says Kavish Bisseswar, who graduated at University College Utrecht in 2015. As a student, he was already actively engaged with the world around him.

Kavish joined the Dutch Labour Party, organised debates for the University College Student Association Politics committee, and became a member of the University Council. After graduation, Kavish pursued a Masters in International Relations at Kings College London, worked as a campaign coordinator for the Labour party during the 2017 elections, and embarked on a career in diplomacy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kavish was on the Labour Party’s list of candidates for the elections for the House of Representatives in March 2021. Just before the elections, we talked to Kavish about his mission to battle social inequality, and reflected on his time at University College Utrecht.

What does your life look like these days, with the elections coming up?

During my time as a diplomat at the Dutch embassy in China, I was already used to having a busy and demanding job. But now, during the campaign for the elections, life has become quite a roller-coaster. I am going from meeting to meeting, and my phone is always ringing. It’s a new experience for me to be a public figure, and being recognised by people.

How do you bring across your political message during a world-wide pandemic?

While the Covid-19 crisis is on top of everyone’s mind right now, this crisis has displayed discrepancies in our society that existed before, but that have now become more visible, such as lack of affordable housing, an insecure labour market, and an expensive medical care system. Discussions about how we manage this crisis are therefore strongly connected to questions about what country we want to be after the crisis, in 20 years from now, and what the role of the government should be.

Without the College, I wouldn’t be where I am now. The broad and multidisciplinary orientation at University College Utrecht, and the inspiring student community, have helped me enormously in shaping my career.

How do you look back at your time at University College Utrecht?

Without the College, I wouldn’t be where I am now. The broad and multidisciplinary orientation at University College Utrecht, and the inspiring student community, have helped me enormously in shaping my career.

At the same time I was very much aware that I had a different background than most students. Even though the student population at University College Utrecht is very international, the majority of my fellow students came from privileged families. I have had many interesting conversations with former Dean Rob van der Vaart about how diversity involves more than attracting students from different countries; you also have to look at their socio-economic backgrounds, in order to represent other perspectives on campus.

What could University College Utrecht do to attract students from a diverse set of socio-economic backgrounds?

I believe role models are important, to show people where an education at the college could take them in their lives. In terms of promotion, the college should actively invest in providing information to pupils at different types of schools, specifically schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the cities, and more rural areas. These students may not be triggered as much by the college’s prestigious international profile, but they might be interested in learning how an education at University College Utrecht teaches them skills that many employers seek, how it prepares them for a wide range of career options. The alumni community could be a great partner in this process. I’m sure many alumni would be willing to share their experiences at an information session at schools in their own area.

What is your mission?

It is my mission to battle inequality in Dutch society, with a strong focus on fighting the inequality in our educational systems. It has become increasingly more difficult for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education. Growing up in a humble family myself, I realise I have been extremely lucky to have had people around me who recognised my potential and interests, so I could go to a good quality school at the other end of the city. But not all children with the same potential can rely on such a support structure. This clearly shows we have some work to do in the Netherlands, in order to make education more accessible.

It is my mission to battle inequality in Dutch society, with a strong focus on fighting the inequality in our educational systems.

Do you have any advice for current students?

In the end, your education at University College Utrecht is not just about obtaining high grades, but also about developing yourself as a person. Once you start working, employers will look at the soft skills you have, how you collaborate in a team, or how you deal with setbacks, rather than hiring you based on your grade list.

So allow yourself to grow, and engage in off-campus activities as well. As safe as the close knit community at the college grounds may feel, be aware that the theory you learn in the classroom mostly consists of reflecting on societal issues. Try to grasp opportunities to get in touch with the people affected by these issues. Get out of the bubble, be active in your neighbourhood and talk to people. Show interest in what is happening around you in the city of Utrecht.

Another advice to students would be to find their own personal niche, in addition to their broad academic orientation at the college. Develop one unique skill, learn Programming, or learn another foreign language. Anything that helps you distinguishing yourself from others with a similar education.