George Washington University and the World Bank Group have launched a new partnership aimed at connecting students more directly with global development work. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable development, strengthening the talent pipeline and creating more opportunities for students to engage with real-world challenges.

The agreement was formalized April 8 during a signing ceremony at the World Bank Group headquarters, just days before the institution’s Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., which convene global finance leaders and development experts.

The partnership builds on ongoing discussions between GW and World Bank Group leadership. Ramit Nagpal, vice president and general counsel at the International Finance Corporation, is serving as the university relationship manager and senior sponsor for the initiative.

Nagpal said tackling global challenges requires people who can work across disciplines and sectors. 

“This partnership will help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world development,” Nagpal said at the signing ceremony. “Through experiential learning, it will give students a clearer pathway to apply their skills to complex development challenges and see how impact is delivered in practice.”

He added that the collaboration will also benefit the World Bank Group by bringing in new ideas and perspectives from students, particularly in areas such as analytics, digital skills and global awareness.

Sevin Yeltekin, dean of the GW School of Business, said the agreement will expand opportunities to engage with World Bank Group work through research, guest lectures, and site visits and mentorship. 

“This partnership opens the door for our students to engage with some of the most important global challenges in real time,” Yeltekin said. “It creates meaningful opportunities to connect what they are learning in the classroom with the work of leaders shaping international development, finance and policy.”

The collaboration is part of a broader World Bank Group effort to partner with leading universities worldwide to strengthen talent pipelines and deepen knowledge exchange.

Samit Nag, director of human resources at the World Bank Group, said the partnership supports earlier engagement between students and development institutions.

“At the World Bank Group, our mission is about impact—and that impact depends on people,” Nag said. “Collaborative partnerships like this create more structured opportunities for students to engage early, build practical experience and better understand the skills needed —particularly critical thinking— to address global challenges.”

GW alumna Ana María González Velosa, M.A. ’06, a senior environmental specialist at the World Bank, described the partnership as “a win-win.”

She said the collaboration will help students to better understand careers in global development while also bringing fresh ideas into the institution.

“My heart pumps faster when I am going into the field,” González Velosa said.

She encouraged students to stay curious and seek out hands-on experience early.

GW alumnus Konstantinos D. Kollias, M.B.A. ’98, said the partnership expands opportunities for students interested in global development.

“GW has a diverse, multi-talented, energetic group of people that are passionate about the future, care deeply about sustainability—of our planet and job creation,” said Kollias. 

Kollias serves as the global head of the IFC’s equity portfolio, overseeing investments across emerging markets. One initiative he is involved in is Mission 300, which aims to expand  electricity across Africa.

For current students, the agreement represents expanded access to global opportunities.

Zuleirys Santana Rodriguez, who will graduate this spring, said the partnership builds on what drew her to GW.

“This is honestly revolutionary,” Santana Rodriguez said. “Being able to open these doors for students is going to completely change the kinds of experiences they can be exposed to.”

She will also volunteer at the upcoming Spring Meetings to gain further exposure to global development work.

“I want to better understand how global leaders are thinking about the challenges we’re facing right now,” she said.

Santana Rodriguez encouraged students to take full advantage of the opportunities the partnership creates.

“Understand yourself, what you want and the story you’re building,” she said. “If there’s something missing, go get it. GW has these resources to help you.”

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