Yash Chawla, PhD from India has won the national competition “Interstudent 2021”, organised by the Perspektywy Educational Foundation. Outstripping the other contenders in the doctoral studies category, he became the first winner from Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

Yash, nicknamed “Jaś” by his colleagues, is an Assistant Professor at WUST's Department of Operational Research and Business Intelligence. He came to Poland in 2017 to pursue his doctoral programme at the Faculty of Computer Science and Management.

– I had already been in touch with WUST when I worked at universities in India and we jointly organised students exchange prgorams. It was then that I met Dr Kamila Ludwikowska. I knew I wanted to do my doctoral programme at a foreign university, and it was, in fact, thanks to her that I decided to go to WUST. She helped me a lot – says Dr. Chawla.

He adds that he didn’t know much about Wrocław back then, but he wasn’t disappointed. He appreciates the fact that it’s a city with its own unique atmosphere and international culture without being a large metropolis.

Active and committed

Yash Chawla is a very active researcher involved in projects in various fields. In India, he completed his bachelorr's degree with honours in Mechanical Engineering and a second one in Computer Applications. He then continued his education by doing a postgraduate programme in International Business and another one Renewable Energy Technology.

His doctoral thesis, which he worked on already at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, concerned social media management, a subject he has been dealing with as a researcher for over 10 years. However, he initially explored it from the practical side, working in the Public Relations and Professional Development at Parul University and RK University, where he used social media to promote tertiary institutions. Moreover, he worked as a consultant, trainer and advisor on social media strategy for various companies in Asia and Europe.

– I try to teach people how to use social media effectively but, above all, responsibly – says the researcher, who has already trained more than 70,000 people, including youths, also students, in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the UK.

A WUST ambassador

Since the beginning of his PhD studies, which he completed in 2020, he has been involved in various scientific endeavours at our University, as well as delivering classes to students and conducting training courses and workshops. He travels to scientific conferences all over the world.

He works in the research group headed by Prof. Rafał Weron, which deals with economic modelling and forecasting. Yash stresses that Prof. Weron is a strong inspiration behind his scientific achievements.

Dr Chawla has a record of seven publications in scientific journals and two chapters in monographs. He is currently working on a book on social media to be published by Routledge.

A few months ago, he carried out an international opinion survey on the awareness of COVID-19, The study was conducted in parallel at universities in countries including Brazil, China, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Portugal, Russia, Spain, and Turkey. 

– Dr Yash Chawla is the best proof that internationalisation at the university makes sense. He fully deservedly won the Interstudent competition in the doctoral programmes category. He is the first winner from our university – emphasises Anna Rogalska, head of the International Relations Office at WUST. She adds that Yash is very supportive of all programmes enabling the exchange between students from different countries. – He initiated the launch of the first Online Winter School . He’s undoubtedly a great ambassador of Wrocław University of Science and Technology in the country and abroad – believes Anna Rogalska.

Travel, Teddy, and pancakes

Dr Yash Chawla travels a lot. – Even before the coronavirus outbreak, I would find myself in a different country virtually every month. I take every opportunity to learn about other cultures and people – he says. 

– Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented me from going abroad, so I’ve been extensively travelling in Poland recently. I’ve been to Gdańsk, Władysławowo, Zakopane, Ustroń, and Karpacz. However, I like Szklarska Poręba best and I derive immense enjoyment from climbing Mount Śnieżka. The observatory at the top has something cosmic about it – enthuses Yash Chawla.

Being now in Poland for over three years, Yash has recently adopted a dog. – Now my main leisure activity is long walks with Teddy. I moved to the outskirts of Wrocław, so I got away from the hustle and bustle of the city altogether. I work hard, but my life is now much more peaceful than it was in India – admits Yash Chawla.

Moreover, he’s trying to learn about Polish culture. As far as our dishes go, what he likes best is pancakes, dumplings, and vegetable salad. – I am vegetarian, so I don't eat any meat or fish. However, for the past four years, I have spent every Christmas with a Polish family, so I’m familiar with the taste of dishes such as "barszcz" and "uszka" – says Dr. Chawla.

To give other people a chance

He admits, however, that he’s not very good at learning Polish. The first Polish word he learned was "dziękuję". – I don’t speak well, but I understand a lot. I use English everywhere – at university or with students. It's not a problem. And in other situations, you can always use electronic translators – he believes. His co-workers call him "Jaś" because his name sounds exactly the same. He’s happy to be surrounded by friendly and very supportive people at work. He owes a great deal especially to his thesis supervisor, Prof. Grzegorz Chodak, and Prof.Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska.

However, he misses India and his parents, whom he last saw two years ago. He does his best to be able to talk to his mother almost every day. – I’m an only child, so our relationship is clearly a very close. If I’d be in India, I’d probably still be living with them, because in India its something normal. At times, I planned to go home every six months, so my parents were happy. With the pandemic, it’s realy difficult at the moment, unfortunately – says Yash Chawla. .

In his spare time, apart from playing with his dog, he creates computer graphics, edits videos, and watches Formula 1 races. – I’ve been a huge fan of the sport for 15 years. Lately, I’ve been rooting very hard for Max Verstappen, who in my opinion is a much better driver than Lewis Hamilton – asserts Dr. Chawla.

Asked whether his stay in Poland will be permanent, he replies that he doesn’t know yet. The scientist is participating in long terms a research project, which would keep him engaged for the years to come. – We’ll see what the future brings – says Yash Chawla.

For the time being, he plans to fund a scholarship for students from India who’d like to study at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. – I know what it costs to live in a foreign country. Before I got my job at the university, I struggled quite a bit to support myself financially. I want to help young students develop their passion for science – make it easier for them to come to the university and stay in Wrocław – says Dr Yash Chawla.

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Held for the 11th time, the Interstudent competition targets students pursuing education at Polish universities. It aims to select those of them who are ambitious, active, and creative in building bridges between cultures. The competition is headed by the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland in cooperation with the National Representation of Doctoral Students and the Parliament of Students of the Republic of Poland.

ISZ