Journey of Growth at SIPS: Living the Mission of Global Citizenship Through Peace Education

Deepti Singh from Meerut, India, is a graduate of the first batch of the SIPS program. With a Bachelor’s in Technology in Computer Science, Deepti worked at the United Health Group (UHG) for five years as a Software Tester and led CSR efforts while supporting education and character-building for underprivileged children in Gurugram. Despite growing up in financial hardship, she was empowered by her mother’s commitment to education and inspired by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda’s humanistic philosophy, which led her to enroll in the SIPS Program, aligning with her values of contributing to global good.

During her time at SIPS, Deepti faced numerous challenges transitioning from full-time work to rigorous academic life, managing finances, part-time jobs, and living apart from her husband. Despite this, she grew immensely both personally and academically through intense coursework, deep research, and by building meaningful friendships. Her research focused on Global Citizenship Education as a priority for achieving the SDGs, and she also served as a Global Schools Program Advocate in Japan. In addition, Deepti contributed to events like the ‘Climate for Future’ strike in Tokyo and the G20 Osaka Summit Conference held at Soka University, all of which brought her closer to her mission in life.

The SIPS program equipped Deepti with interdisciplinary knowledge, which laid the foundation for her transition from engineering to peace education. With strong support from faculty and deep academic exposure, she gained the confidence to teach and share these insights globally. She currently works as a teacher at Soka High School Tokyo and as a freelance SDGs Consultant and Peace Educator, conducting workshops on peace, sustainability, and global citizenship.

To current and future SIPS students: Please cherish your time at SIPS as it will guide you toward your mission, passion, and potential, but always prioritize your health and well-being—peace work begins with inner peace. Remember, peace starts at home; building harmonious relationships in daily life is the foundation for broader social change. Ground your ideals in reality, and you'll find the strength to turn hope into action. SIPS, represents the heart and soul of Soka University’s founder, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, whose lifelong vision for peace and education lives on through this program.