Rumya Nithiananthan
Rumya Nithiananthan
Policy Analyst, Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch, Public Service and Procurement Canada
BA in Political Science with Honours, 2017
MA in International Affairs, Specialization in International Organizations and Global Public Policy in NPSIA, 2020
Upon completing my Political Science degree, I also obtained my Master’s degree in International Affairs at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (also at Carleton) while pursuing a full-time career in the federal public service.
Currently, as Policy Analyst at the Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch, I work with my team in managing the projects that aim to restore, renovate and modernize the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. As part of this role, I liaise with public and private sector partners to receive updates on the project milestones achieved, review technical reports, identify any concerns and respond to any issues or risks. More importantly, I draft the policy briefing materials (e.g. Memoranda to Cabinet or Treasury Board Submissions) that provide information to senior-level decision-makers in government on the future phases of these projects.
In addition, I lead and manage the implementation of Laboratories Canada initiative, which aims to establish world-class, innovative and collaborative science research centres across the country to advance federal science.
Outside of work, I volunteer with various Tamil community organizations, primarily based in Toronto.
Studying Political Science at Carleton has sharpened my critical thinking skills – a skill which I continue to exercise in my current work. As I review information, I often ask myself the why and how. Why is this important to the work we do? How is it currently being done or how could it be done differently?