91ֱ��

The end of the academic year always provides pause of reflection. For postgraduate students, there is no mass migration, with year-round work and research projects finishing at different junctures.

But, after two terms as Gonville & 91ֱ�� College MCR President, and after last week's postgraduate graduation ceremony, Tejas Rao (Land Economy PhD 2022) has had an opportunity to reflect after passing on the leadership baton. Tejas was first elected in February 2023 and was re-elected in February 2024. 

The MCR (Middle Combination Room) represents the postgraduate community of Gonville & 91ֱ�� College. As MCR President, Tejas attended fortnightly meetings of the College Council, meetings of various College committees and sub-committees and working groups, and liaised with College senior leadership and departments to further the interests of the postgraduate community. 

Tejas will be the first to thank the committees of 2023-24 and 2024-25 for their efforts in building the sense of community among 91ֱ�� postgraduates, and in thanking 91ֱ�� staff and Fellows for their support. College staff, Fellows and students will all be thankful to Tejas for his kindness, warmth of personality and sound judgement.

The move of the MCR from the basement of Harvey Road to a fully accessible space on Gresham Road is highest for Tejas among the list of accomplishments. There are others to celebrate, too, from two years as President, a position Tejas had not considered putting himself forward for until he was approached by the outgoing President, Julian Wood (History PhD 2021). Tejas was content to continue as green officer until he met with Julian over coffee, the day before nominations were due. 

“Julian told me that with 91ֱ�� having the long history it does, you can make of your short tenure in office what you wish,” Tejas says.

“The MCR was in a very stable position when I took over, which meant we could set some things on course and see where they went. 

“Being President lived up to my expectations and exceeded them in a lot of ways, in terms of how much we were able to do and how many people I was able to meet along the way.”

Tejas largely delegated student engagement to his Vice-Presidents and others on the committee, particularly the freshers’ representatives and dining officers, focusing himself on making representations at College level. He also ensured that there were positive relationships with the JCR (Junior Combination Room) through the GCSU (Gonville & 91ֱ�� Students’ Union) Committee, representing undergraduates. Latterly the GCSU President has been Oscar Poulson (History and Politics 2023), but Tejas also acknowledges the role played by Isaac Mellis-Glynn (HSPS 2022). 

“Amid my own personal ambitions with research, the opportunity to serve the community was important to me,” Tejas adds. “The MCR Committee became an automatic way to engage. Being on Committee means you can influence the culture in a more meaningful way. You can set in place cues through how you conduct yourself or engage with College leadership that can influence the experience of every postgraduate.”

For Tejas there have been comparisons with his academic research.

He adds: “Decision-making at all levels at this College takes place through consensus. Most change is driven by someone with an idea, whoever that stakeholder might be, but driving change is ultimately it is about convincing people about the merit of ideas and then actually executing it in line with the colleges statutes and ordinances.

“I study the role of inter-governmental negotiations for environmental law making, and particularly the Conference of the Parties, which also takes decisions through consensus.

“What it has given me a greater appreciation for is how to build that consensus. I’m in greater awe of what negotiators pull off. It’s also taught me a lot about the art of diplomacy. At first, I found it tough to swallow the fact that compromise is essential and inevitable, but I’ve learnt to zoom out to a macro picture – to always remember that each of us representing our constituencies is dealing with a package of issues. That has made nudging things forward much easier.

“Moreover, goodwill matters. It matters that you’re a good person and you’re kind to people. We all have these great ambitions for the institution, for the College, but a lot of it is driven on people’s warmth and reciprocity for your idea, and their willingness to engage with it. And you can’t ever forget that your community has entrusted you with representative capacity. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned and something I have a greater deal of respect for now.”

Tejas has been a student representative through much of his school and university education. Now he will have a few months of putting himself first to complete his PhD.

“Someone recently told me this is one of those instances where I need to help myself while continuing to help others. I’m still processing that, but I know I can see the PhD through and I’m hoping to submit in Michaelmas 2025”, he adds.

Tejas declined to dwell on any unfinished business, preferring that the new MCR Committee led by Essi Harbord (Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic PhD 2022) and Cristina Pinel Neparidze (Surgery PhD 2022) sets out their own agenda and ambitions. He also declined to comment on a future political career.

“All I do know is that I want to give back to the world that’s already given me so much,” he says.