Lakshmi M.

• Oxford, engineering
• Oxford

I am currently a second year DPhil student at St Edmund Hall college. My research is focused on wastewater treatment and is funded by the National University of Singapore. Apart from doing that, I’m extremely passionate about technology, education and social enterprises! I am an avid member of Enactus Oxford and also the vice president of Oxford Women for Women International. Joining Enactus last year was one of the best decisions I have ever made, not only because I found my true passion for social enterprise but it also provided me with the opportunity to work closely with exciting new start-ups and attend various conferences aimed at empowering social entrepreneurs. I have taught primary and secondary for 4 years in Oxford (2008-2012), alevel students for 3 years in Oxford and London (2010-2013) and undergraduates for past 6 months in my department of Engineering.

            Good subject knowledge, well-structured lessons combined with skillful use of well-chosen questions are the main ingredients that help me deliver excellent tutorials. More precisely, I believe that the ability to respond and adapt planned lessons to meet the needs of the learners is key. Setting clear, specific and measurable goals keep my students focused as they get a clear picture of what the expectations are and then achieve a sense of accomplishment when goals are reached. I believe that asking questions must be at the heart of anyone's teaching. Hence, students are constantly encouraged to ask questions at any point during the class, which show that the students are thinking and reaching understanding with as little guidance.

            My first teaching experience was at the age of 16 when I moved to Malaysia after having lived in France for four years and was given the opportunity to start my own extra-curricular French class. Alongside my university studies, I worked for four years as an English and Maths tutor at a learning centre called Kumon Oxford, which aims to complement school’s curriculum while providing a solid foundation for its elementary and high-school students from less privileged backgrounds. As a mentor of The Young Educational Learning Programme (YELP), I offered high school pupils around Oxford with helpful insight into university life and advice on competencies that these students require beyond exam success, while preparing them for applications and interviews, to secure places at top universities in UK. Last two years, while working for Oxbridge Success I have helped students through their application and interview process to secure place to study Engineering Science at Oxford. Last month, I volunteered as a tutor for OxFizz summer school where I designed and delivered a 2-week course to introduce Chemical Engineering.

            Charity: YELP students, Age-Aid, Enactus Oxford, Oxford Women for Women International,  MAGIC (Malaysian Association of Guardians for the Intellectually Challenged)   Sports: Badminton & Swimming. Achieved Life Saving certificate at school  Dance: Indian classical dance (Advanced), Salsa (Beginner)  Adventure: Duke of Edinburgh's award: Silver; successfully climbed Mount Kinabalu