ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2024
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 52,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2024 on 6,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 280+ campuses worldwide (just 5%) were selected to host the 4,000+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT MAHALAKSHMI SIVAKUMAR, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW AND CAMPUS DIRECTOR FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.
Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Bengaluru | Bengaluru, India | Advancing SDG 6, SDG 13, SDG 14 & UNAI 9
" There’s a moment in every crisis when something bigger than yourself pulls you in, overwhelming you yet making you tremble with excitement, like a lone human standing against a towering tide. For me, witnessing Bangalore’s water crisis was that moment. It sparked an urgency within me—an ambition that change could, no, MUST start with my own hands.... And when an opportunity to connect with young global changemakers presents itself, you can't help but believe this was destiny. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Project Neeru : A WaterWise Bengaluru
Project Neeru tackles Bengaluru's severe water crisis, addressing a 500-million-liter daily deficit by aligning with SDGs 6, 13, and 14. Focused on water conservation and access, the initiative rejuvenates lakes and implements rainwater harvesting by partnering with NGOs like Friends of Lakes and Twin Glacier Foundation, and Government officials. Key actions include studying the lake cascading system, identifying lake encroachments, building and using GIS tools for water quality assessments and exploring traditional well-digging techniques of a local community in Vaddarapalaya. With over 500 residents set to benefit, Project Neeru raised funds for site visits and proposed lake restoration efforts up to $118,370 (MCN Impact Assessment Score™ of 79 "Very High Impact"). By merging traditional wisdom with modern solutions, the project paves the way for long-term water sustainability.
About the Millennium Fellow
"How far can I go, even when it scares me?" This persistent question drives Mahalakshmi Sivakumar, a BBA student specializing in Business Analytics and Finance at SCMS-B. Known for her insatiable curiosity, Mahalakshmi has always been fascinated by the power of both words and data. What began as a love for creative storytelling transformed into a passion for uncovering the narratives hidden in data.
As a Millennium Fellow, she channels this curiosity into using technology and analytics to tackle sustainability challenges and create meaningful social impact. Creative challenges are her catalysts, and she thrives on pushing her own limits, constantly seeking new ways to blend innovation with purpose. Whether it’s leveraging AI for financial insights or exploring innovative solutions for environmental sustainability, Mahalakshmi is always ready to explore the unknown. Her leadership style is marked by collaboration, creativity, and empathy, inspiring her teams to think bigger.
In her downtime, Mahalakshmi enjoys gaming, deep conversations, and taking long reflective walks, savoring warm food with warmer company while engaging in philosophical ideas. She enjoys observing the ordinarity of life and the complexity of people. Thriving on these reflective moments, she balances her personal passions with professional pursuits, always ready for the next challenge.
