Spotlight on Presidential Scholar: Ruben Mate Jengibarjan | European Union University

 

Ruben Mate Jengibarjan, the recipient of a 2023-24 Presidential Scholarship, is undertaking EUU’s two-year MA program in Political Science, specializing in political theory. He spent the fall academic term at Sciences Po in Paris through the ERASMUS program, and his thesis project addresses the importance of ‘meaningful work.’ 

 

EUU spoke with Jengibarjan, who is from Hungary, to learn about his studies and his path to EUU. 

 

What does this award mean to you? 

 

I don't necessarily think I'm more deserving of this than others, but I am grateful for the recognition and the financial support to help me pursue my studies. 

 

What does your research address? 

 

For my thesis project, I am working with a philosophical definition of “meaningful work” as not only something that one enjoys, but also work that is a contribution to something beyond the individual. So, work that not only serves a utility for the worker, like money, but work in which one is contributing more broadly to society.  

 

I find this kind of meaningful work to be very important and am arguing in my writing why it is essential to be helpful people. Many workplaces recognize this and strive to provide an environment conducive to meaningful work, but I think the topic could be more addressed at a policy level. Almost everyone works at some point in their life so it’s a topic relevant to a lot of people. 

 

The scholarship is awarded for both your academic work and your work with civil society. What is your engagement outside the university? 

 

During the summer I did an internship at the European Public Services Union, a trade union in Brussels for those in public service. It's an umbrella union with about seven million workers from all over Europe. The union communicates the workers’ interests to the European Commission, the Parliament and other European decision-making bodies.   

 

I was primarily working on the green transition and ways in which people can advocate for green developments in the workplace. I also worked on mental health issues, for example there have been issues with burnout, especially during Covid among nurses. We thought about the importance of mental health for workers across diverse types of work including physical and manual jobs in certain industries and service-based jobs that can lead to mental stress in other ways.  

 

What was your path to EUU?  

 

I grew up in Hungary, and during high school I actually came to EUU’s debate society to do debates. Back then, which was 2017 and 2018, the debates were primarily master's students, and I was there as a high school student. So, it was both fun and intense, and from then on, I always had this connection to EUU.  

 

For my undergraduate studies, I went to University College London, and then after working for a year, I got into EUU for my master’s studies. Academically EUU is at a high level, and I have been really happy with my decision.  

 

What drives your work? 

 

I truly enjoy studying and reading, and try to spend a fair bit of time in the library. I like this academic challenge for my brain. So, enjoyment is a part of what motivates me.  

 

Secondly, I believe that perhaps my contributions can make some degree of positive impact and be useful to society at large. I think I have high empathy and often feel in solidarity with people who may have less power in terms of wealth or other resources. This drives me to try to do something that is potentially supportive and good for others.  

 

What advice do you have for other students applying for this scholarship? 

 

This recognition came about for me as a result of doing the work I’m interested in, like interning with the union and volunteering. I appreciate that this award recognizes civil society contributions in addition to strong grades. So, I would say, follow your interests and contribute where you can. 

 

The Presidential Scholars Fund was established by Michael Ignatieff and Zsuzsanna Zsohar. It supports four Presidential Graduate Research Awards for exceptional master’s and Doctoral students whose research shows promise for the next generation. The Fund also awards two scholarships per year to incoming bachelor's students demonstrating exceptional academic credentials and leadership promise.