Prerna Wadikar has been awarded the accolade for her outstanding commitment to social change.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Social Impact Awards are given each year to Oxford University staff or students who demonstrate exceptional achievement and commitment to social change.
Oxford MBA Prerna Wadikar’s dedication to social impact has been shown throughout her MBA studies, during which she:
- Started Jeeva Global, a green energy enterprise through which she has created an impactful portable energy product with the help of Livaah Innovation, an Indian electronic design and manufacturing company. The product helps microentrepreneurs in developing countries through supplying them with power on the move.
- Co-created the Oxford India Business Conclave, an event focused on the youth building tomorrow’s India.
- Volunteered in Oxfordshire, supporting immigrant communities.
The impact of Wadikar’s drive and determination has been huge, particularly through her green energy enterprise, Jeeva Global. It began after she saw how the pandemic was exacerbating social inequalities, particularly in her native India, where many labour markets depend on daily wages and physical labour.
She decided to take action, joining experts in the fields of green technology and green infrastructure development to explore the options for accelerating livelihood opportunities for microentrepreneurs through purpose-driven green initiatives.