IIT Guwahati Student Appointed Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador

Sukanya Sonowal, a fourth-year B.Tech student from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, has been appointed as a Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador. She will serve as the Lead - Communications & Public Relations on the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN) for the 2025–2027 term.

CYPAN is a youth-led initiative spanning all 56 member nations of the Commonwealth. The network works towards fostering peace, mutual respect, and understanding, with a focus on countering violent extremism and promoting social harmony through youth engagement.

Sonowal’s appointment comes following a rigorous three-stage selection process comprising an initial application and two rounds of interviews. Candidates were assessed based on their dedication to peacebuilding, leadership background, community engagement, and alignment with Commonwealth values.

A native of Assam’s Lakhimpur district, Sonowal brings with her significant experience in youth outreach and communications. Her track record in leading large-scale campaigns and building international collaborations played a key role in her selection for the leadership position.

Congratulating her on the achievement, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, said,
"We are immensely proud of Sukanya Sonowal for her selection as a Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador. We are confident that she will make a meaningful contribution to peacebuilding efforts across the Commonwealth and inspire many other students to pursue initiatives with global impact."

Throughout her academic journey at IIT Guwahati, Sonowal has played a pivotal role in the institute’s flagship techno-management festival, Techniche, as part of its Media and Branding team. Beyond campus, she co-founded STEMvibe – STEM for Viksit Bharat Empowerment, an initiative promoting science and technology education among Indian youth, which has engaged over 3,000 students nationwide.

Additionally, Sonowal leads The Integral Cup, a national-level mathematics competition for undergraduates, which witnessed participation from over 2,500 students from top-tier institutions in its inaugural edition.

Her leadership in initiatives that merge education, innovation, and youth empowerment—alongside her collaborations with organisations such as Optiver, Qube Research & Technologies, and Jane Street—reflects her strong alignment with CYPAN’s mission.

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