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Raja H. R. Bobbili

Biography

PROFILE: Raja Bobbili comes from one of the poorest parts of the world: the south-central African country of Zambia. Having lived through both ends of the economic spectrum during his childhood, Raja is deeply troubled by the economic disparities and social inequality that plague many African countries. Home-schooled from grade 7, Raja skipped more than four years of school, showing tremendous academic aptitude and determination. He entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at age 16, where he went on to major in economics, electrical engineering and computer science. At MIT, Raja founded a nonprofit organization to bring sustainable technological solutions to communities in Africa and was also instrumental in founding International House for Global Leadership (iHouse),  a residential community for students focused on international development.

INSPIRATION: Raja has been greatly influenced by the example of Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, who in the 15 years since the genocide in his country has focused on lifting Rwanda from its bloody past, becoming one of the most progressive presidents Africa has seen.

ASPIRATION: Equipped with a J.D./M.B.A. from Harvard University, Raja hopes to eventually return to Sub-Saharan Africa to advance development in the region. He plans to complement his development efforts by working in the legislative arena to advocate for more effective financial and regulatory infrastructure, as well as appropriate legal entitlements to reduce the economic divide between the rich and the poor.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Raja has organized community service programs and founded an anti-AIDS club in Zambia. Through the nonprofit he established while at MIT, Raja created partnerships with students and faculty from MIT and other American universities and several African countries to develop sustainable technological solutions. In addition, Raja taught three for-credit seminars at MIT focused on Africa-oriented development topics (HIV/AIDS, sustainable technology, legal entitlements) to expose his fellow students to the issues facing African nations. During his time at MIT, Raja also founded MIT's first living-and-learning community: a 21-member residence for students interested in international development, a place where curricular learning and social development intersect to create a vibrant environment for cultivating leadership skills.

ACCOLADES: Raja won the Karl Taylor Compton Prize, MIT’s highest public service honor for students, in his junior year – a rare accomplishment. His other honors include MIT’s Undergraduate Leadership Award, MIT Federal Credit Union “People Helping People” Award, the Laya Wiesner Community Award, MIT Experimental Study Group’s Todd Anderson Teaching Award, MIT Legacy Award and the MIT Public Service Center Fellowship. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi and Etta Kappa Nu. 

INTERESTING FACT: Raja has yet to meet someone that is as obsessed with spicy food as he is!

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