10 Questions with Bilge - How can youths lead the way towards social and political change?
I interviewed current Tsinghua University’s Political Science graduate student and former Secretary-General of International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS), Biligtsaikhan Uuganbayar, to understand how her studies in political science prepare her as a youth leader. She discusses some of her self-reflections, motivations, and what advice she can give to aspiring political science researchers of today.
Used with permission of Biligtsaikhan Uuganbayar
Hello Biligtsaikhan (nickname Bilge)! And thank you for accepting this week’s interview! To start, could you share with our readers a little bit about who you are, and the work you do?
Thank you very much for inviting me! When I got this interview offer, I was very excited!
I grew up in Ankara, Turkey and born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Previously, I studied in Turkey, Mongolia, Japan and China. I have just completed my visiting scholar program at Tsinghua University under the UNESCO Great Wall Fellowship/ CSC (China Scholarship Council). Soon I am going to continue my master’s in Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy at the same institution and department.
I was selected as the IAPSS Secretary-General between 2020 to June of 2021, and my responsibility included conducting of online academic conferences, with the partnership of the department of Political Science at the National University of Mongolia. Our theme was “Democracy, Power, and Identity.” It was a good chance for young Asian scholars to cultivate their research skills, to present their original ideas, and to broaden their network with other people of the relevant fields.
As a young Mongolian woman, it meant a lot to me to connect with members and to be presented such a leadership role to represent Mongolia. It’s a great way for me to give back to the society and to present my country.
What inspired you to pursue the studies of political science?
My undergraduate degree was called the “Teacher training English” program. The intention at that time was to secure my job probabilities, because as a child growing up in a middle-class income family, I thought this career path is a secure way for me to ensure I will have a salary once I graduate. But then as I became an English teacher at one of the most prestigious international school in Mongolia, I realized I was not feeling happy. Because when I was in middle-school, I had the chance to attend English speaking private school, with a financial aid. But my classmates were children from comfortable backgrounds compared to me, which at that time, my parents were struggling with financial hardships.
The bread and Milk Public School children used to have during lunchtime. 2016
My parents used to ask me after school, “what did you eat during lunch?” instead of asking me: “What did you learn today?” Because they knew that in private schools, children will learn lots of things. But in public school lunches, children usually only get bread and a small yogurt, sometimes milk. At that time, these bread and milk were already considered luxurious to the eyes of public-school children. However, in private school lunches, children have chef, hot meals, juices, sometimes even cakes! The meals even provided chicken, fishes, and those are very prestigious cuisines in Mongolia for lunch, at that time. In public schools, you will never get meat! As I graduated and after completing my college degree at the National University of Mongolia, I went back to that school as an English teacher.
I had complicated emotions in my heart, because compared to my other classmate who were born with more privileges than me, I had to struggle very hard to secure my scholarships to even be able to graduate with my degree. That led me to think that there are so many families who are struggling like mine. So, I decided as an academia, that I wanted to understand the social issues from the bottom up, and instead to study political science focusing on social stratification, justice theories, and social mobilities.
Bilge attending Nanyang Technical University of Singapore, Conference on “The STEP Youth Regional Affairs Dialogue”, 2021
How did your studies of politics influence your leadership style?
In the beginning, it was not easy. After class I used to cry a lot, because I was so behind compared to my fellow classmates. But as time passes, I started to lead my fellow classmates, because one of the biggest traits I learned through my struggles was communication skills. I learn that step by step, I was able to unite and even influence my fellow classmates into listening in my ideas for new interests, and to facilitate deep dialogues between young scholars.
Another aspect I learned about Mongolia is that our country is a young democracy (Since the 1990s Democratic revolution, with the collapse of Soviet Union). Therefore, the society I belong is unique for me to study democratization, and in the region, we had this sense of responsibility to keep our democracy. Even with so much financial challenges within our community, we are proud of our democratic values of being able to vote, to have an opinion, and to share our beliefs. My country’s freedom to democratized has often been a motivator for me, that should I struggle now, I can help my societies next generation to struggle less than we did.
Previously after high school, and during my college years (I was about 18 years old), every summer and winter holidays I frequently visited Japan, but not to vacation, but to work as a hotel cleaner. That is because my family was residing in japan during that time for work, and I wanted to be able to support my family. With no Japanese language skills nor diploma at that time, I could only work as a hotel cleaner. These experiences consolidated my interest in studying the social inequalities within society, I feel fortunate that I was never raised in a bubble.
My international experiences taught me that there are many people who are struggling to support their families. And while studying political science, I have been able to think more globally about these social issues. The study of political science opens my eyes to see the good and poor practices of other nations, on issues such as education inequalities, an issue that is close to my heart.
As I look back on my leadership style, I realized in my life, when there are struggles and challenges, there are actually more opportunities. Despite the obstacles, I had never given up on what I wanted to do. I had submitted my study abroad applications I think for more than 30 times within a year (I had lost count), and I think when my application to go to Soka University of Japan was finally approved, I think the administration officers were much happier than me, because I can finally stop annoying them for a year, haha!
Are there any personality traits or habits you think every leader should have?
I think we need to be humble and modest as a leader, and to make realistic decisions as their choices can influence many people’s lives.
Whose career inspires you, and why? Who do you admire?
Francis Fukuyama was a classics major during college. His one year of study abroad experience in Europe also influenced him to study political science. And he is now one of the most influential political scientists around the World. People who started political science latter into their career, I like to study their lives to understand their perspectives.
Bilge receiving the Prime Minister Honorary Scholarship award in 2018, one of the top 25 students in Mongolia.
What are some of the major challenges you face in your work? And what keeps you motivated to solve them instead of quitting?
One of the major challenges for me, is to conduct research with third world country researchers and communities. Because of their geopolitical disadvantages, and their language barriers (some of them may not be as fluent in English). But fortunately, Covid-19 has helped me to find connections with them using social media.
I want to encourage researchers to not be shy. I am fortunate to not feel shy when it comes to communicating my need for help, and always people have shown willingness to support me. Ask your questions, and people will help you. If you admire someone, it can even be Obama! Tell him or invite him to your event. It is possible! All thanks to Covid!
P.S: I used this trick and sent one of my admired professor and invited him to video chat (He is a leading scholar in the field of Political Science), and he actually approved me and talked with me for over two hours! True story!
If you were to start all over again, would you have done anything differently?
I would do nothing differently. Maybe I will clean better during my hotel times.
If you weren’t working on social stratification and justice theories, what else would you be doing?
Winston Churchill used to paint a lot during his free time, and I know that many famous politician leaders like to paint part time. So, if I fail in this field, I will probably become an unsuccessful painter who loves painting so much.
What advice do you have for youths who also aspires to become a leader in political science like yourself?
Unintentionally our lives will be affected by our childhood and upbringings. So, take your time to understand your true heart and what matters to you. It could be issues like inequality, as it had affected me a lot through my life experiences. Like the famous sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois who’s background as an African American influenced his decision to study social justice and segregation in the American context, you may want to take your time to figure out what problems you want to fix in the world. That inherent passion will guide you throughout your journey into becoming a leader in your chosen field.
“Take your time to understand your true heart and what matters to you.”
What’s next for Bilge?
Soon my master’s programme will begin in China, so I really want to dedicate my next two years in studying china politics and international relations. I want to create a valuable research dissertation and publish it as a book, within the next two to three years. If you are reading this article after two or three years, please google me, and you will find my book, and then, please order it, because I guarantee you, it will be valuable!