Statement
My goal is to practice fieldwork-based applied research in the sustainable development of communities in the informal sector and home-based women workers, internationally. I wish create a balance between my design skills, professional experience in urban slums and remote rural communities, and my academic training in international development for social change to develop a long-term positive improvement through social enterprise innovation in the lives of marginalized population.
Qualifications
Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA 2006-08
Master's in International Development and Social Change
National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 1998-2002
Graduate Diploma in Textile and Apparel Design
Diploma in fine arts (painting), Pracheen Kala Kendra 1993-95
Magadh Sangeet Niketan, Gaya, Bihar, India (Extra- Curriculular)
Academic research papers
Master's research paper: Organizing Home-Based Women Workers in India (2008) Clark University,
Worcester, MA, USA
Graduate Diploma Project: "Rebirth", Perspectives on waste paper (2002) National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Craft Documentation: Bardalai R. and Prajapati U.(2001) "The Journey of Bamboo", National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad India, Sponsored by Bamboo and Cane Development Institute (BCDI), and Development Commissioner of Handicrafts (DCH), India, NID Publication
Scholarships and awards
International Development Community and Environment 2007
Clark University, Worcester MA, Travel award for Master's Research in India
Ford Foundation International Fellowship 2006-08
Scholarship to complete Master's Degree in United States
EDIDA (Elle Decor International Design Award) 2005: Fabric molded lamp
EDIDA (Elle Decor International Design Award) 2004: Woven Rug made out of waste paper
GURUKUL: SPIC MACAY Scholarship 2004: Sponsored by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility founded by His Holiness the 15th Dalai Lama, (HP) India
Gold medal in National Karate Competition, India 1996
Professional Experience
Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board, Uttarakhand, India 2005-06
Project Consultant for Natural Fiber based Research and Livelihood Development in hills of Uttrakhand
Kala Raksha Vidalaya (KRV), Kutch, India December, 2005
Co-faculty in the introductory session of a design institute for Traditional Artisans sponsored by Development Commissioner Handicrafts (DCH), India, UNESCO and AID to ARTISANS
Xylem Private Ltd. New Delhi, India 2002-05
Design coordination with Initiative in research and product development to reuse paper waste
India & Vietnam "Lotus Link" craft workshop, Delhi Haat, New Delhi, India. 2004
Dastakari Haat Samiti, (National Crafts Organization) in conjunction with DCH, India, Crafts Link, Vietnam and the Embassy of Vietnam
Upasana Design Studio, Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India 2004
Consultant Design Trainer for waste recycling
Women Development Organization, (WDO), NGO, Dehradun, India 2002
Design Consultant & Trainer
Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC), Punjab, India 2002
Co-researcher and documentation consultant
Abraham & Thakore Pvt Ltd. Delhi, India 2001
Internship
Development through Design, National Institute of Design, Ahmadabad, India 2001
Workshop for design development
Conference paper presentation
Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting in Boston, April 15-19, 2008.
Peer Reviewed Paper Presentation: Prajapati, U., 2008. Sustainable organization of home-based women workers in India
Graduate Student Multidisciplinary Conference 2008. Clark University, MA USA.
Paper Presentation: Prajapati, U., 2008. Informal sector and women workers
Skills
Languages: Fluent in English, Hindi and Gujarati and conversational French
Computer: Arc GIS 9, Geoda095i, IDRISI. Andes, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Power point, SPSS, Adobe
Photoshop, Adobe PageMaker and Corel Draw
Professional skills: Textile design, product design and practice of indigenous textile arts, photography, project
management, report writing, curriculum development, training implementation
Volunteer Activities
Social Entrepreneurship Alliance Annual Conference, Boston 2008
Facilitating conferences sessions and registration of participants
International Development Community and Environment 2006-07
Secretary/Treasure of Student Association, Clark University, USA
Small Steps: Reducing the usages of plastic bags and encouraging fabric bags 2006- Present
http://www.smallsteps.in/ International ambassador
Tsunami relief livelihood project, Tamil Nadu, India 2004- Present
http://www.tsunamika.org/ International ambassador
Gujarat Earthquake relief work, India 2001
Field worker for Action Aid India
Memberships
Textile Society of America 2006- Present
Social Entrepreneurship Alliance 2006- Present
Association of American Geographers 2007- Present
Int. Fellowship Program India Alumni Network 2008-Present