Long before he became a global leader in the energy transition, Kobad Bhavnagri first heard about NYSF through someone close to home.
His sister had attended the program a few years earlier and returned with glowing reviews of the experience, helping put NYSF on his radar.
A self-described science-loving high kid with big ambitions and a growing interest in engineering, economics and politics, and encouraged by both his sister’s experience and his high school science teachers, Kobad applied for the 2001 NYSF Year 12 Program.
Today, 25 years later, Kobad is helping shape one of the world's most significant challenges: the transition to a low-carbon economy.
As Global Head of Strategy for BloombergNEF, he leads strategic thinking for the international research organisation, helping develop new capabilities and business opportunities while advising senior decision-makers around the world. His work spans clean power, transport, industry, agriculture and nature, drawing on expertise in policy, economics, markets and technology.
Alongside his role at BloombergNEF, Kobad serves as a Governor of WWF Australia, is a member of the federal government's India-Australia Green Hydrogen Taskforce and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales.
Kobad Bhavnagri at Climate Investor Forum at Centrepiece, Melbourne on 17/2/2026. Photo: Event Photos Australia
Like so many students who attend the NYSF, cost was a barrier, but support from Rotary helped make the experience possible.
“Both my sister and I managed to get sponsorship from Rotary. I remember I missed out on sponsorship from our local Rotary group, but they very kindly referred me to another Rotary branch which then sponsored me," he said.
Looking back, Kobad said one of the most important lessons from NYSF was understanding that success in science requires more than academic excellence.
"(NYSF taught me) that being an impactful scientist is more than being academically brilliant, that personality and communication skills and being well-rounded are critical," he said.
The program left a lasting impression on him and helped reshape the way he saw himself and his future.
"I found my NYSF experience really inspiring and transformative,” he said.
“It gave me a greater sense that I could do great things and that science and engineering is a pathway to change the world for the better. And it really inculcated that communication and dynamism were key skills to bring to a career in the sciences. This was an important stereotype to challenge, of the nerdy scientist," he said.
The confidence he gained during the program stayed with him long after the session ended.
"I remember walking out of my session with a real sense of excitement and confidence. It helped me feel less reserved and more proud of who I was and my abilities," he said.
For current Year 11 students wondering whether they should apply, Kobad's advice was simple.
"Do it. It could be a life-changing experience for you," he said.
More than two decades after attending NYSF, Kobad's career demonstrates the many directions a STEM pathway can take. From engineering and finance to global strategy and sustainability leadership, his journey highlights the power of curiosity, communication and the confidence to pursue ambitious goals.