BSIS student Saloni Gore is passionate about community service, especially projects related to sustainability and social impact. It is this commitment to making a difference that prompted her to start a project to help provide clean water to rural communities in India and led her from Singapore to the iSchool, where she can learn how to use data and technology to benefit the world.
In January, Gore was recognized for her work by Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, who presented her with a National Youth Achievement (NYAA) Gold Award. The award is for young Singaporean citizens who have demonstrated leadership, commitment to community service, and the potential to contribute as future leaders of the country.
"By reducing water waste and encouraging clean water use in rural Delhi, India, my project supported [the United Nations] Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), which focuses on making clean water and sanitation available for everyone," she said. "As part of this project, I installed Bio-sand filters and held sessions to show students and teachers how to use them for the long term. One of my main goals was to change how people think about maintenance, so the filters would keep working well even after the project ended."
According to Gore, while earning the NYAA Gold Award was a personal challenge she set for herself, the real reward was seeing the difference her project made in people's lives. She started the project in January 2023 and completed it fourteen months later.
"I want to continue expanding the initiative, reaching more communities, and educating more people about sustainable water practices. Beyond that, I hope to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations to make an even bigger impact. This project was just the beginning of my journey in community service and sustainable development," she said.
Gore started her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois in fall 2024. She chose to major in information sciences because she enjoys problem-solving and working with data, and she was drawn to the iSchool because of its "blend of technical skills, data analysis, and human-centered design."
"This major allows me to explore my interests while developing technical and analytical skills. I see information sciences as a field with endless opportunities, whether in data analytics, consulting, or tech, and I want to use these skills to make informed decisions and drive innovation," said Gore.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cafés around campus, hanging out with friends, and staying active through sports or the gym. After graduation, Gore hopes to work in a field that allows her to combine problem-solving, strategy, and social impact—possibly in consulting or sustainability-focused initiatives.
"I also want to continue my involvement in community projects and, eventually, pursue further education or certifications to keep growing in my field," said Gore. "Whatever I do, I want to ensure that my work contributes to meaningful change."