Makarand Deepak Rodge

Hailing from India, international student Makarand Deepak Rodge says he was drawn to Waikato because of its strong academic reputation in social and public sector studies, the practical approach of its courses, and the vibrant international student community. 

“The University’s focus on research and policy analysis, combined with varied papers in policy-making, made it the ideal place to develop my expertise,” he says.

Makarand reflects on adjusting to a new academic system and balancing the demands of the program with part-time work, which was initially challenging. 

With support from tutors and student services, he stayed on track and excelled in his studies.

The University's focus on real-world applications of policy work gave him the confidence to enter the public sector with a strong foundation. 

“The network I built during my time there continues to be a resource for me in my career,” he says.

Participating in student-led policy discussions and workshops helped me build a network of like-minded professionals, many of whom I still collaborate with today.

One of Makarand's standout experiences was a workshop by MBIE policy graduates facilitated by the University. 

“It allowed me to apply what I learned in class to real-world policy challenges. It was a great opportunity to converse with policy professionals about their hands-on experience in the public sector.”

The skills he gained from the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy have been instrumental in his role as a policy advisor at a local council. 

“From conducting in-depth policy analysis to drafting proposals and advising on regulatory frameworks, my coursework gave me the tools to critically evaluate public policies and provide evidence-based recommendations,” he says. 

“Skills such as stakeholder engagement, research methods, and understanding legislative processes have become integral to my day-to-day responsibilities”.