Sumita Sharma
Sumita Sharma, a graduate from the Erasmus Mundus in Higher Education programme, passed away on August 18, 2013 at the age of 42.
Sumita originated from India and started the programme in fall 2009. She recently submitted her master thesis at the University of Tampere entitled “Assessment and Accreditation as a Tool for Improvement in Higher Education Institutions in Gujarat State in India”.
Those of us who were fortunate to get to know Sumita will remember her as a quiet student but focused and full of enthusiasm.
Some of her classmates have shared their memories of Sumita. Stevie Goddard writes, ‘for me, Sumita was gentle, conscientious, and always aware of the other. She was contained, and for those who sought Sumita’s voice, she was humble but honest; careful, but sharp. Importantly, she was my neighbour, and a real friend. I miss her.’
Alex Fernandez shares his fond memories of Sumita.
I will never forget Sumita in her first day of class of our HEEM program the fall of 2011 in Oslo. She was the classic academic woman, fully interested in learning and, more than that, in sharing about the deepest things of life. In Tampere, it was at 8 o’clock of every morning when she was knocking on my door to go together to our University. Regardless of the rude winter that she was facing for the first time, she always made it on time. Her expression “Come on Alex” pushed me to move and catch her step. I also remember her comments on my writings, “Alex, I am afraid that you have to say more than that”; they forced me to go deeper on my thoughts. Last time we saw each other was in Aveiro´s train station, I still see that hand waving as saying “See you later”.
I am sure that where ever Sumita is right now, is because she made it on time. I am also sure that her legacies of being thoughtful about things on life are the best heritage given to her family. Once again, I am sure there will be a chance, beyond this world, to say “Hi” to our great classmate Sumita.
Our thoughts are with her friends and family during this difficult time.