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  Prof. Amina Abubakar

  Head of the Academy

  Amina Abubakar is a full Professor and Director for the Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University and the head of the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy. She is a Senior Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Research Programme and Visiting Academic at the University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry. She is a trained Developmental Psychologist with more than 18 years’ research experience working in rural settings in Kenya within multidisciplinary teams. 

  

  Prof. Amina Abubakar

  Head of the Academy
  
  

  Amina Abubakar is a full Professor and Director for the Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University and the head of the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy. She is a Senior Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Research Programme and Visiting Academic at the University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry. She is a trained Developmental Psychologist with more than 18 years’ research experience working in rural settings in Kenya within multidisciplinary teams. 

  
  
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  Judith Tumaini

  Project Co-ordinator

  Judith Tumaini is a Project Coordinator responsible for the day to day running of the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy based in Kenya. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology and an International Diploma in Administration from Cambridge College – Distance Learning. She has vast experience in psychological assessments for both clinical and research purposes and over 15 years’ experience in administration from KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme Kilifi.

  

  Judith Tumaini

  Project Co-ordinator
  
  

  Judith Tumaini is a Project Coordinator responsible for the day to day running of the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy based in Kenya. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology and an International Diploma in Administration from Cambridge College – Distance Learning. She has vast experience in psychological assessments for both clinical and research purposes and over 15 years’ experience in administration from KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme Kilifi.

  
  
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  Margaret Kabue

  Facilitator

  Margaret Kabue is the Institute Manager at the Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development and Facilitator at the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology Linguistics, a Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi. She previously worked as a Project Manager for Childhood Development in Marginalized Communities (CDMC) project at IHD. 

  

  Margaret Kabue

  Facilitator
  
  

  Margaret Kabue is the Institute Manager at the Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development and Facilitator at the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology Linguistics, a Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi. She previously worked as a Project Manager for Childhood Development in Marginalized Communities (CDMC) project at IHD. 

  
  
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  Joyce Marangu

  Facilitator

  Joyce Marangu is the Manager for the ECD Workforce Hub hosted by the Institute for Human Development and Facilitator at the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy. She was previously a Project Coordinator for the Scaling Up Playful Parenting Project co-funded by UNICEF/LEGO Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation USA, and has held other research positions in the Institute. Her research interests include: early childhood development, child health and nutrition, child poverty and social protection. 

  

  Joyce Marangu

  Facilitator
  
  

  Joyce Marangu is the Manager for the ECD Workforce Hub hosted by the Institute for Human Development and Facilitator at the Aga Khan University Women Leadership Academy. She was previously a Project Coordinator for the Scaling Up Playful Parenting Project co-funded by UNICEF/LEGO Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation USA, and has held other research positions in the Institute. Her research interests include: early childhood development, child health and nutrition, child poverty and social protection. 

  
  
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  Gillian Rodrigues

  Facilitator, Pakistan

  Gillian Rodrigues is a Faculty at NDIE. She currently serves as Programme Coordinator of the flagship programmes of NDIE. Her responsibilities within this capacity are to ensure the smooth running of the programmes as well as working to improve current practices. She also conducts as well as organizes sessions that address the professional development needs of schools/institutions. 

  

  Gillian Rodrigues

  Facilitator, Pakistan
  
  

  Gillian Rodrigues is a Faculty at NDIE. She currently serves as Programme Coordinator of the flagship programmes of NDIE. Her responsibilities within this capacity are to ensure the smooth running of the programmes as well as working to improve current practices. She also conducts as well as organizes sessions that address the professional development needs of schools/institutions. 

  
  
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  Munira Shah

  Former Project Co-ordinator, Asia

  For over several year Munira has been a leader, a great learner and curious about new opportunities that are beneficial for her personal and professional growth. Her colleagues identify her as caring and talented, but she may shy away from talking about her contributions to achieving goals of world recognized institutions like Aga Khan University (AKU Global), National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) where she led projects for Smithsonian Institution (USA). 

  

  Munira Shah

  Former Project Co-ordinator, Asia
  
  

  For over several year Munira has been a leader, a great learner and curious about new opportunities that are beneficial for her personal and professional growth. Her colleagues identify her as caring and talented, but she may shy away from talking about her contributions to achieving goals of world recognized institutions like Aga Khan University (AKU Global), National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) where she led projects for Smithsonian Institution (USA). 

  
  

Alumni Network Country Representatives

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  Nkatha Muthaura

  Kenya

  Nkatha Muthaura is a Kenyan lawyer who is passionate about solutions targeting basic unmet social concerns at the bottom of the pyramid and a firm believer of the Sustainable Development Goals. She has worked in both corporate and non-profit settings as a legal advisor and projects manager. Her work experience has allowed her to explore a wide range of subjects from a global perspective.

  

  Nkatha Muthaura

  Kenya
  
  

  Nkatha Muthaura is a Kenyan lawyer who is passionate about solutions targeting basic unmet social concerns at the bottom of the pyramid and a firm believer of the Sustainable Development Goals. She has worked in both corporate and non-profit settings as a legal advisor and projects manager. Her work experience has allowed her to explore a wide range of subjects from a global perspective.

  
  
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  Anita Nadeem

  Pakistan

  Anita Nadeem is a self-motivated and innovative thinker with a diverse background in architecture. She is the co-founder of UA Design studios, a progressive architecture studio based in Islamabad. At UA studios, she leads design projects and the research wing. Skilled in bringing meaningful ideas to life she strives to achieve a balance between architecture and research combined with design thinking for strengthening our communities.

  

  Anita Nadeem

  Pakistan
  
  

  Anita Nadeem is a self-motivated and innovative thinker with a diverse background in architecture. She is the co-founder of UA Design studios, a progressive architecture studio based in Islamabad. At UA studios, she leads design projects and the research wing. Skilled in bringing meaningful ideas to life she strives to achieve a balance between architecture and research combined with design thinking for strengthening our communities.

  
  
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  Racheal Akugizibwe

  Uganda

  Racheal Akugizibwe is a result-driven, resourceful, flexible, organized and adaptable individual, experienced Programmes Manager with a strong background in Admin and Finance, 12 years of experience driving continuous improvement in all aspects of programmes.

  

  Racheal Akugizibwe

  Uganda
  
  

  Racheal Akugizibwe is a result-driven, resourceful, flexible, organized and adaptable individual, experienced Programmes Manager with a strong background in Admin and Finance, 12 years of experience driving continuous improvement in all aspects of programmes.

  
  
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  Engr. Urooj Seemeen

  Pakistan

  Engr. Urooj Seemeen is a seasoned computer engineer and STREAM educator, certified Six Sigma Black Belt, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the EdTech sector. She is the founder of E-Services & Technologies and Stream Academy International, focusing on empowering children through STREAM-based, project-driven learning. She is also the Affiliate Director for Destination Imagination in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Her innovative platforms, including ChalkTalk, connect students globally with experts, revolutionizing education and fostering a passion for STEM among underserved students.

  

  Engr. Urooj Seemeen

  Pakistan
  
  

  Engr. Urooj Seemeen is a seasoned computer engineer and STREAM educator, certified Six Sigma Black Belt, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the EdTech sector. She is the founder of E-Services & Technologies and Stream Academy International, focusing on empowering children through STREAM-based, project-driven learning. She is also the Affiliate Director for Destination Imagination in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Her innovative platforms, including ChalkTalk, connect students globally with experts, revolutionizing education and fostering a passion for STEM among underserved students.

  
  
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  Mendrika Ravelomanalina

  Madagascar

  Mendrika is a technical advisor specialising in the civic space. She supports and guides civil society organizations in their actions. Mendrika is also passionate about volleyball and has made it a guideline for her life. While remaining a diligent player, she is increasingly involved in redefining civism and citizenship through the values of sport and work.

  

  Mendrika Ravelomanalina

  Madagascar
  
  

  Mendrika is a technical advisor specialising in the civic space. She supports and guides civil society organizations in their actions. Mendrika is also passionate about volleyball and has made it a guideline for her life. While remaining a diligent player, she is increasingly involved in redefining civism and citizenship through the values of sport and work.