Sarju Sing Rai

Dr. Sarju Sing Rai is an Assistant Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), affiliated with the Faculty of Science's Athena Institute, Network Institute, and APH - Global Health department. His work focuses on 'Competencies Development for Societal Transformation through Public Engagement in Transdisciplinary Research and Education', emphasizing Global Health and SDG 3 (Health and Wellbeing). He holds a PhD in Global Health from VU Amsterdam (2021).

He is actively involved in transdisciplinary education initiatives such as the Broader Mind Community Service Learning (CSL) project, designing transformative programs with multistakeholder collaboration to address global health challenges. Key projects include the NRO CONNECT consortium (10 Dutch universities) for Transdisciplinary Learning frameworks, the AURORA European Universities Alliance's Societal Impact workstream, and the EU-funded SMALL project on shared mobility theories. He also co-leads the Knowledge Alliances for Loneliness & Mental Wellbeing and Inclusive Cities in Amsterdam.

His research spans

• Education: transdisciplinary competencies, critical service learning, global citizenship
• Global Health: stigma reduction, intersectionality, health equity, psychosocial disabilities, leprosy, HIV/AIDS, diabetes
• Societal Systems: systemic transformations, inclusive mobility, multistakeholder governance

Recent articles highlight work on leprosy stigma mechanisms in Nepal (2025), transdisciplinary education design (2025), assistive technology for psychosocial disabilities (2023), and meaningful engagement of stigmatized communities in research. His work intersects cultural anthropology, public health policy, and educational innovation.

He contributes to UN SDGs 3 (Good Health), 4 (Quality Education), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Collaborations span global South-North institutions to foster equitable student competencies.