professor, an information and communications technology (ICT) consultant for international ... Arindam holds a Bachelor'
Guest profiles Mr Harsha de Silva This Sri Lankan native is a man with many talents and one of many hats. He is a development economist, a successful entrepreneur and member of the Sri Lanka Parliament. He has professional experience as a university professor, an information and communications technology (ICT) consultant for international agencies and even as a popular talk-show host. Since 2004, Harsha has consulted as Lead Economist at LirneAsia, which runs ICT research projects in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Harsha holds a Ph.D from the University of Missouri, Columbia and has had executive training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Ms Bernadette Manuel This young entrepreneur from Cagtinae, Malimono, Surigao del Norte has a knack for business development. Her story in the food industry began as a result of unanswered job applications and a desire to pursue a career in business. She started Seon Kris Food Products in May 2008 by selling peanut rolls while studying in college, which currently has seven employees. Bernadette studied at the Agusan Institute of Technology in Butuan City, is 26 years old and married.
Mr Arindam Dasgupta With India’s unemployment issues at heart, Arindam helped found an organization in 2004 called “Dhriiti – The Courage Within” – which promotes entrepreneurship and enterprise development. Since 2010, he has been a Board Member of the Centre for Microfinance and Livelihood supported by Tata Social Welfare Trust and previously worked with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India and The Confederation of Indian Industry. Arindam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and in 2004, he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management.
Mr Soane Patolo Passionate about rural development issues, Soane earned a Bachelor’s degree in Resource Studies from New Zealand’s Lincoln University, where he majored in Environmental Studies, Policy and Planning and Social Development. His professional experiences range from various positions in the education and administration sectors – and since 2007 – he is the General Manager of the IFAD-funded programme for Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovations (MORDI) in Tonga.
Ms Nguyen Thi Huong Nguyet Barely 30 years old, and already, Nguyen has several life experiences under her belt. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English from the Hanoi National University in 1999, went on to complete four business and management certificates from various institutions and completed another at the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2009 that speaks specifically to pro-poor farmer markets. She is currently the Marketing Manager at Tan Trao Tea Joint Stock Company where she works with youth on a daily basis.
