Connect with Saraja in Bangalore
Saraja Gantner spent ten months as a Communications Associate at our Swissnex in India office, after completing a Bachelor’s degree in architecture. As she departs, she shares her key takeaways and personal milestones on the relevance of Swissnex’s work in India and the value of scientific diplomacy.
What has been the biggest takeaway from your ten months at Swissnex in India?
Connections matter.
When I started at Swissnex in India, I openly told Jonas, our CEO, that I had yet to understand Swissnex’s utility. I was looking forward to being part of a ‘Science Consulate’ but failed to see the concrete impact it could generate.
I think the team took that to heart. Within my first few days on the job, I was involved in organizing two major events, the Indo-Swiss AMR Innovation Dialogue and the Innosuisse AIT 2023-24 program. Designing collaterals for these projects allowed me to discover how our innovation and academic teams weld relationships between Indian and Swiss stakeholders. As scientists, innovators, and policymakers came together around those Swissnex-led initiatives, new opportunities started to take shape: Indian market entries of Swiss startups promising large expansions, Swiss-based research advancing through the work of Indian scientists, as well as deep camaraderie and friendships.
Behind every bilateral effort is a person who starts a conversation at a meeting, responds to an email, or initiates a connection. Entities like Swissnex are the ones who make those connections happen. After witnessing what lies at the base of international alliances – individuals collaborating beyond boundaries – I quickly became an advocate of our mission.
What projects have you enjoyed working most on and how was your overall experience?
If you have ever participated in a sport played worldwide, you know how it feels to connect with people on a level that transcend differences. Although each Swissnex location develops context-specific activities, our overarching aim of creating connections makes us all part of a global team working towards the same goal.
My favorite display of an Indo-Swiss dialogue this year was the visit of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor to India. Across Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, several thousand people gathered to hear Mr. Zumthor in conversation with local architects. The recording of Mr. Zumthor’s Bengaluru visit, published by Swissnex, has more than 2,000 views on YouTube with viewers from the US, Europe and India.
Every person who follows the elaborations of this great Swiss designer with his Indian counterparts adds a thread to their mental network of how art and culture are intertwined between different regions. To see these connections form for the 700+ people in the auditorium where the conversation took place was remarkable. Bringing people together around common interests, be it art, science, innovation or academia, forms the basis of an international alliance and that cause has shaped my experience at Swissnex.
If you had more time at Swissnex in India and Bangalore, what else would you like to do?
Frankly, I am ready to move on, at least for now.
My position allowed me to support the project teams as a graphic designer. I had an exceptional experience learning to communicate with diplomats, scientists and students through visuals. However, I am also excited to return to architecture, the field in which I got my BSc, and expand my design capabilities to the urban and global scale.
Swissnex supports institutions, startups, academics and others in their international growth. Whilst I see myself revisiting that role in the future, I want to continue my studies, develop my practice, and build my own network in urbanism. Eventually, my personal development will allow me to add a perspective to our shared mission that is unique to my passion and talent.
Is there anything you've learnt about yourself that you weren't aware of before?
Amongst my peers, I have seen a sense of frustration and helplessness regarding our planet’s future. Working at Swissnex means getting insight into cutting-edge technology, accompanying impactful research, and being at the forefront of international cooperation. Connecting with those people and institutions who find solutions to our problems has turned my concerns into excitement.
The past year has been heavily coined by the deep sense of purpose I derive from my work. Investing my time and energy in solving issues that matter – not only to me but also to many of my friends – has taught me how a meaningful position enables me to be my best self in my professional and personal life.
What will you miss the most about working at Swissnex in India and living in Bangalore?
As I move on from my year in Bengaluru, I want to retain the Swissnex principle: Connect the dots. Working here made it possible to fully commit to initiating relations between India and Switzerland. I’ll miss the ease with which I can focus on that mission in my current job.
Working as an associate at Swissnex in India has instilled in me the belief that people can and want to come together to address planetary challenges. As long as I can nurture this conviction through my further education and future postings, I will not leave Swissnex behind.
Saraja Gantner
