Shattering Gender Bias and Transcending Global Boundaries: Sunehri Shah fuelled by Shirin Fozdar Scholarship

“The possibilities for what I can achieve and explore are exponentially greater than what I saw growing up, and that feeling, that pure excitement about the future, is the most transformative gift this scholarship has given me.” 

Growing up in a traditional household in Mumbai, Sunehri Shah witnessed firsthand how gender bias can limit a woman's opportunities and potential. At home, this bias denied her mother the chance to pursue higher education. However, watching her mother bravely earn a master's degree at 40 inspired Sunehri to break free from the societal expectations she had grown up with.  

“That experience taught me that true freedom and security come through independence. It motivated me not to dwell on past circumstances, but to actively build a different future” 

Fuelled by her mother’s experience, Sunehri set her sights beyond the confines of her hometown. “My motivation to study abroad was always driven by a deep desire to break the boundaries of my world. I yearned to explore life beyond Mumbai, the different cultures and the accents I’d only ever heard on the television.” Her pursuit of freedom and excellence eventually earned her an opportunity to start a new chapter in Singapore, where she received a fully funded scholarship for her pre-university stay and studies.  

Sunehri embarked on her journey of independence with optimism, leaving everything familiar behind at the young age of 16. “Packing my life into two suitcases felt intimidating, but it was like shedding a cocoon and spreading my wings. Over those two years, I fell completely in love with Singapore ... When it came time for university, I visited an SMU Open House and immediately fell in love with the feeling it gave me. It was a strange familiarity like I belonged here.” 

Now a full-time first year undergraduate, Sunehri is a recipient of the Shirin Fozdar Scholarship and strives to embody the legacy behind this award. Named after Shirin Fozdar, a fearless and outspoken advocate of women’s rights, the scholarship was established in 2016,  one of the initiatives of the Shirin Fozdar Programme (SFP). The award serves to recognise outstanding female undergraduates of foreign nationalities and to support them in their education at SMU. 

Sunehri remembers how unbelievable it was to be awarded the scholarship. “Receiving the news about the Shirin Fozdar Scholarship was one of the most intensely emotional moments of my life. I just froze. I stared at the screen, and I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my face.”  

In addition to a sense of relief, Sunehri was also overcome by joy and excitement at the path that laid ahead. “The financial pressures of coming to a university as brilliant as SMU had been truly daunting, and that incredible generosity lifted such a heavy weight off my shoulders.”  

“My first thought was to call my mom and tell her that there were people who believed in me and were willing to help. She cried tears of joy and has since not stopped reminding me of how this has changed our lives,” Sunehri recounted her experience after receiving the award. 

Despite the challenges of navigating a new environment, Sunehri remains grateful for the growth she has experienced during her time here. “It's challenging, but these new experiences have been transformative, forcing me to become more independent, adaptable, and resourceful in ways I would never have been back home.” 

Since arriving in Singapore, Sunehri has made conscious effort to embrace every step of her journey and shares that her time thus far at SMU has been incredibly rewarding.  “SMU has been a blessing. I truly resonate with what the University stands for: the intention to make its students career-ready, the seamless integration into university life, the numerous opportunities, encouraging us every day to be better than yesterday. Studying in SMU has easily been the best decision of my life and none of it would have been possible without this scholarship.” 

As she continues to navigate her time in SMU, Sunehri is excited to explore other opportunities her beloved city campus has to offer. “The scholarship acts as a powerful motivator. It has given me the confidence to pursue more ambitious goals. I am currently applying for summer internships and plan to leverage the support to join an organisation with a finance focused role next semester.” 

In particular, Sunehri appreciates the value of a curriculum that emphasises the importance of community service, which is a crucial element of a student’s journey at SMU. “Our required community service component truly stood out as a pivotal moment for growth, reminding me that effective leadership must always be anchored in responsibility and empathy.”  

As she continues in her journey of self-actualisation, Sunehri remains ever grateful for the support she has received which has fuelled her dreams. “What truly motivated me and resonated so deeply was the intention and legacy behind this specific scholarship. To me, this scholarship isn't just funding; it's an investment in female empowerment, a cause I champion completely.” 

To her benefactor, Sunehri wishes to convey her gratitude, and promises to honour and further the spirit of the scholarship.  

“Receiving this support allows me to contribute to Shirin Fozdar’s lasting legacy, and I sincerely hope that one day, I can pay it forward and start a similar scholarship for girls who face challenges like mine,” Sunehri shared. “I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of supporting extraordinary young women to break barriers and realise a potential they might not have thought possible.” 
 

Sunehri Hasmukh Shah (BBM 2029), Recipient of the Shirin Fozdar Scholarship