Women's Mentorship Programme

 


A Free Mentorship Programme For Young Women in India

Are you a young woman between 18 and 29 years of age?  Would you like to discuss, seek guidance and explore experiential knowledge from experts in the field? Do any of the profiles listed below spark your interest to learn more about the profession.  If so, you have the opportunity to set up a session with any of our inspiring Rising Beyond The Ceiling ( RBTC) role model honorees. Our mentors come from a variety of professions - academics, media and communications, law, medicine, management, tourism, robotics, government, administration, educationists, private/corporate sector, engineering and others. We continue to add new role model profiles to our mentorship programme to enable young women to find their inspiration and experiential knowledge resources. 

This women's mentorship programme is open to ALL young women and girls living in India and is ongoing. The inspiring role model mentors are Muslim women in various professions. The programme is free of cost. All complete submissions will be acknowledged and continuously included in the programme. 

How to select your mentor and set up your experiential learning conversation ?

Review the expertise and experience  of the  mentor profiles on this page to find your best fit. You may request for a conversation with up to two mentors.  

You can submit your request  through the RBTC Mentorship Form or by email.

Send your request through an e-mail to risingbeyondtheceiling@gmail.com including the following FOUR points: (i) A brief profile paragraph or linked-in CV; (ii) Name of the RBTC mentor from among the list with whom you would like to have the conversation; (iii) Few issues and insights you expect to gain from the conversation; (iv) Your preferred modality for the conversation (i.e Whatsapp, phone, facetime video, google, zoom, others). For quick processing please title the subject of the e-mail  "RBTC Mentorship Programme" to risingbeyondtheceiling@gmail.com  

How is the Mentorship programme implemented ? 

All complete requests will be processed and RBTC will allocate you the appropriate mentor of your choice.  You will also each receive a free "Mentee Handbook" following receipt of your request. RBTC will facilitate setting up your first conversation with the selected RBTC honoree.  The conversation will be  through any of the following Whatsapp, google, zoom, phone and also in person as per mutual convenience. The first conversation is suggested to be from 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Following the first conversation, the mentor and mentee can discuss follow up sessions as per need.  

Profiles of our Inspiring Mentors (in alphabetical order)

RBTC Mentor ANWAR JAHAN ZUBERI,  Educationist. First women Vice Chancellor of Calicut University (2007). ex- Dean Faculty of Social Sciences. AMU. Home Town: Azamgarh Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for profile details.

Anwar Jahan Zuberi, is an academician and former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Calicut. (2007 - 2011 ). She has the distinction of being the first' female Vice - Chancellor of Calicut University and first Muslim woman to serve as Vice - Chancellor of an Indian University. Prior to taking up the position,  Prof. Zuberi worked as Professor of Education at Aligarh Muslim University, Chairman of the Department of Education and Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and various other senior administrative posts in the University.
During her stewardship Calicut University witnessed a period of unprecedented progress, expansion and academic and administrative reforms. With the view to revamp the academic programs and bring about comprehensive changes in the structure, curriculum and examination, the University introduced choice based credit semester system at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This enabled greater academic choice and curricular flexibility۔ The academic departments were re-organised into  a 'School System'. The re-organisation was designed to facilitate inter-departmental cooperation, inter-disciplinary teaching and research and the pooling of resources and expertise for greater academic effectiveness۔ New Departments of Nano Technology، Computer Science، Environmental Studies and Department of Political science were established and new centers such as Inter-University Centre for Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Tribal Studies and Research. Three academic Chairs for research in respective areas. Expansion also took place in the affiliated colleges۔ Sixty five new colleges were sanctioned by the University and one hundred and sixty one new courses were introduced at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. New overseas Centers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras al Khaima and Kuwait, and new Colleges and courses were introduced in different islands of Lakshdweep.
Persisting endeavors of the University at upgradation of infrastructure facilities reflected in providing smart classrooms to all the departments and centres, and upgradation of laboratories and libraries. Central library was digitized and equipped with web resources and ICT Centre for Visually Challenged started which served the entire differently abled population of the State. Under the initiative of preserving the national heritage, manuscript library was constructed and fully equipped with the necessary modern facilities and digital technology. The University also commissioned an ambitious project of digitization of thousands of palm leaf and other manuscripts. A diploma course in ethnography and manuscriptology was also introduced. The most prestigious project undertaken by the University during that period was e - governance covering all areas of academic and administrative offices.  All sections of Examination were  digitised resulting into regularisation of exam schedule. In finance  and administrative offices too digitisation benefitted the employees, pensioners, and students. In appreciation of the comprehensive e-governance project of the University, Government of Kerala's first e-governance award was conferred on Calicut University in 2009. University press was renovated with digital printing technology and most modern facilities. Among many other initiatives driven by academic excellence was collaborations with national and international institutions. MOU with Tubingen University, Germany and Charles University Prague were signed. Large number of lectures under newly launched Erudite lecture scheme and the existing Frontier lecture program of the University by renowned Scholars from different countries were conducted. Infrastructure development also included construction of twenty five new buildings on the campus  and on the University off campus Centres.
Prof. Zuberi was represented on several  prestigious Committees. She was nominated by the Government of India to USEFI, Governing body of Kerala State Higher Education Council, Advisory Committee of ICCR (Kerala chapter),  Advisory committee of INFLIBNET, Governing Council of Indian Institute of Management Calicut, to name a few. She also received the Life time achievement award by Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Academy  in 2017.

References/Sources
https://www.thehindu.com/features/education/Making-progress-in-academic-reform/article15446447.ece


RBTC Mentor AMNA MIRZA. Assistant Professor of Political Science. University of Delhi. Recipient Godfray Philips Golden Ovary Award. Click side arrow for profile details.

Dr.Amna Mirza is currently Assistant Professor of Political Studies, University of Delhi . An avid traveller, voracious reader & vegan, her academic initiatives took her to University of Duisburg Essen (Germany), University of Fribourg (Switzerland) amongst others. 
Dr. Mirza is an alumini of Delhi Public School (Mathura Road), St.Stephens College (Bachelors Degree- BA Program), Hindu College (Masters Degree in Political Science), M.Phil & PhD from University of Delhi & Master of Business Administration (Human Resources) from United Business Institute (Belgium). 
Amna is recipient of ‘Godfray Philips Golden Ovary Award’, St.Stephens College Centenary Medal for ‘character combined with learning’, amongst others. She has been associated with art & culture festivals and regularly contributes columns to several newspapers and magazines. She has four books to her credit which were well received by academic, media and others alike 
References/Sources
https://www.wef.org.in/dr-amna-mirza/

RBTC Mentor AISHA FAIZAN, Media and Advertising Professional. Founder Filmmaker Jr & Co-Founder  Idea Rack Private Limited. Mumbai, Maharashta.  Click side arrow for more details. 

Aisha Faizan is the Founder at Filmmaker Jr. which is an innovative online filmmaking course to teach children the fundamentals of filmmaking. Filmmaker Jr is being mentored at Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru and provides holistic creative development and empower young minds to become independent content creators. She is also the co-founder and owner of IdeaRack Private Limited, a media house working on creative solutions for TV, Digital & Brands.  
Aisha served earlier the Vice President at Skywalker Advertising and Marketing Solutions. She has also co-Founded Faizan Medicare Multi Speciality Hospital. 
Ms. Faizan has an MBA from Aligarh Muslim University. She also completed studies in entrepreneurship at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. 
References & Sources
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishafaizan/?originalSubdomain=inhttps://www.facebook.com/aisha.faizan.16https://filmmakerjr.com/

RBTC Mentor AYESHA FAROOQ, Management. Professor  of Management, Department of Business Administration. Frank & Debbie Islam Complex. Aligarh Muslim University. Aligarh. Leading on  large project of Government of India for training of artisans in Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for profile details.

Professor Ayesha Farooq obtained her MBA and Ph.D. in Management from Aligarh Muslim University. She was awarded fellowship under the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) in 2013 to attend the executive program on 'Strategic Management' at Maastricht School of Management, The Netherlands. Her area of interest is General Management with a special focus on strategic management, organizational development, and OB. Her major themes of research are strategy, balanced scorecard, change management, corporate culture, and learning organizations. 
Dr. Farooq has published research articles in international and national journals of academic repute and chapters in books. She has nearly five hundred citations to her credit in different publications. . She has been invited to present papers at international and national conferences and has presented papers at the University of Cambridge. 
Dr. Farooq is a resource person to AIMA, New Delhi, and other management schools. She has conducted Management Development Program on Strategic Management at AIMA and workshops on leadership & TQM at Department of Business Administration, AMU. Prof. Farooq has visited UK (University of Cambridge & University of Oxford), France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Malaysia for academic purpose.Dr. Farooq has been sanctioned projects worth Rs. 1.43 crores for skill development and training of artisans in Uttar Pradesh in 2019-2020 by the Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. 
References/Sourceshttps://professorayeshafarooq.com/about/https://www.amu.ac.in/faculty/business-administration/ayesha-farooq

RBTC Mentor AYESHA MASOOD, Education Co-founder and Trustee of Oasis International School Bengaluru. Initiated the development of an Educational Organization Management System (EOMS] to earn the ISO 21000 certification for the school. Click side arrow for profile details.

Making International education accessible
Ayesha Masood is the co-founder and Trustee of Oasis International School Bengaluru. She is a graduate from Mount Carmel College Bengaluru (Integrated Home Science). In addition to English, Hindi, Kannada, Ayesha is also proficient in Urdu and to some extent in Arabic. One day she took her niece for admission to a school and was told to “take your children to your own institutions. If you don’t have a good enough school, start one!” This was what triggered her to think about starting a path-breaking school, which would be inclusive and needs-blind. Ayesha started with a Montessori for a single digit number of children in the green room of one public building. The IGCSE curriculum was chosen and the school kept growing and moved from one house-turned-school to another, until they were spread across three such buildings and then it was time. Her seed funding for building and campus came from the students giving a returnable loan! Of course, there were other fund raiser activities too. Ayesha initiated the development of an Educational Organization Management System (EOMS] to earn the ISO 21000 certification for the school. Now, about 24 years down the line, the school is a Cambridge accredited co-educational Institution with nearly 1000 students & a cupboard overflowing with Trophies and Prize cups. Ayesha also has more than 25 years experience with NGO’s, helping uplift and develop children through education, vocational training and healthcare. 
References
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayesha-masood-aba69544/?originalSubdomain=in http://www.oasisintschool.net/


RBTC Mentor FARAH KHAN PETHE. Aviation. Captain, Commercial Airline Pilot, Trainer, Life Coach, Author. Mumbai. Maharashtra. Click side arrow for profile details.

Captain Farah Khan Pethe has worked as an airline pilot with India’s leading commercial airline, Jet Airways India Limited as a Check-Pilot( Trainer) on Boeing 737 for more than 23 years. Captain Farah has flown to around 45 destinations including 14 international countries, having flown several million people across the globe and interacted with as many as possible.
Captain Farah is also a Life Coach and Pilot Mentor who helps people achieve their dream jobs and a stress-free life by making them discover their inner self as a Certified Life Transformation Coach Motivational Speaker and  Author. She has been working relentlessly to reduce stress in aviation for flight crew and all working couples, to become more resilient and enjoy work as well as personal life thoroughly.
“A strong woman builds her own world. Love yourself, be yourself and shine amongst those who never believed you could”- Captain Farah Khan Pethe 
References/Linkshttps://www.captainfarahkhanpethe.in/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXrrLhKdYjxlhlH27aWzKaghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/capt-farah-khan-pethe-04a414a2/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Mentor. HANA MOHSIN KHAN, Airline Pilot & Social Influencer with media industry experience. Noida. Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for profile details.

Hana Mohsin Khan is a pilot with Indigo Airlines since 2019.  Hana Khan’s journey to becoming a pilot has been a wondrous one. She grew up in the Middle East, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At an early age she had started to envision a world where opportunities were equal for men and women. Her parents belonged to Shahjahanpur (paternal) and Pabli khas (maternal) to Zamindar families where a patriarchal setup was a given. Though she was privileged that they raised her the way they did. She believes it is the values she grew up with that had led her to believe that she could do anything she wanted to.
Hana came back to India and completed her graduation in Mass communications from Delhi University. After which she spent many years in the media industry. She later quit that to start her Event business. During that time, she was at a destination wedding in Trivandrum, a friend’s brother saw her there and invited her over for an evening get together. She was the only non-pilot there and felt close to envious of them talking about flying and was wondering why she wasn't doing what they were. After that there was no turning back. She gave her exams over the next few months. And left for Florida for her flight training.
She started her aviation journey in 2015. Gave her exams in early 2015 and left for training later that year. She got her license in January 2017. Completed her type rating on the Airbus 320 in March 2017. She got through both Go air and Indigo airlines in 2018. And decided to join Indigo airlines in 2019.
Source /References

RBTC Mentor KHAIR-ULL-NISSA, Private Sector/Business. Executive Director at the World Trade Center India Services, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for profile details.

Khair-ull-Nissa is the Executive Director at the World Trade Center India Services, Noida. She is responsible for forging new Strategic Partnerships while maintaining the old ones. Her main responsibility is identifying new opportunities for revenue growth and achieving annual plans along with instituting and implementing strategies and plans (long term and short term). She provides inputs on potential acquisitions and new developments, critically analyses current operations and cascades them, respectively.
Ms. Nissa is a versatile, result-oriented, business professional with a broad experience in international trade, both in private and non-profit sectors. She has a special expertise in business development, tactical and strategic planning, alliance and team building, and customer relations. She is also recognized for her strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Ms. Nissa is an energetic and dedicated team leader, with the ability to motivate high levels of performance by others. She is also well-versed in cross cultural communications.     Ms. Nissa received her Master’s in Business Management degree with specialization in International Marketing from University of Leeds Business School, UK. She has worked in diversified sectors such as Real Estate, Leasing, FMCG, Retailing, IT and Fashion in various countries including the US, Europe, Middle East, South East Asia, and India. 
References/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/khair-ull-nissa-shah-87189515/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Mentor KHAUDEJA BANO. Global Healthcare Technology Executive Vice President Combination Product, Devices, Diagnostics and Software as a Medical Device Quality at Amgen at Chicago.Click side arrow for profile details.

Global Healthcare Technology Executive 
Khaudeja Bano is a physician with a master’s in clinical research, Pharmaceutical engineering Certification, a Database Administrator, and a certified Project Management Professional. Khaudeja has more than 25 years’ professional experience, including clinical practice. Khaudeja is currently the Vice President Combination Product, Devices, Diagnostics and Software as a Medical Device Quality at Amgen at Chicago.
Khaudeja has held several global medical positions at Guidant, Abbott, AbbVie Inc and now Amgen. Her career includes global medical / clinical and safety leadership roles in devices, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and combination products. She currently serves as the chair for the Post Marketing Safety working group for the Combination Product Coalition.
As a global healthcare technology executive with over two decades of experience, Khaudeja drives the development and approval of next-gen healthcare products, including combination products, drug delivery devices, and diagnostic instruments, by directing strategic external outreach, championing product safety, and improving clinical infrastructure. She believes that in developing novel products to manage complex diseases, product safety should be prioritized over growing the bottom line. 
Khaudeja spearheads continuous improvement of clinical processes. At Abbott Laboratories, she routinely oversaw gap analysis of existing clinical infrastructure and redesigned the clinical workflows and introduced new processes/standards accordingly. At AbbVie, she introduced a new framework for risk management.  She also contributed towards the development of the product roadmap by leading strategy outreach with key opinion leaders and evaluating ideas/technologies proposed by them.
Khaudeja completed her MBBS degree in Medicine from Osmania University, Hyderabad India in 1991 and moved to the USA where she did her master’s in clinical research from University of California at San Diego in 2006. 
References/Sources
  • https://qepler.com/speakers/khaudeja-bano.html
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaudeja-bano-a29b92/


RBTC Mentor MOHSINA MIRZA, Aviation Robotics Expert, Drone Pilot, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for full profile. 

Mohsina Arif Mirza, is a pioneer in introducing the concept of aviation and flying technology and aerial imaging in schools across the country. She started her career as Head of Drone Department, La Martiniere College, Lucknow; Founder, Invero Techno Robotics & Flying Club, Lucknow; and Dromera Aerial Imaging. She is Group Creative Head of Chain of City International School, Nurture International School, Global Classroom Pvt Ltd. & Global Dreams.
Mohsina launched her venture “Antriksh Invero Techno Kids” in 2017. This is one-of-its-kind robotics and aviation flying club where children in the age group of 6 to 18 years get exposure to aviation and flying technology. Children are trained to pilot their own self-made flying robots and fixed wings, and become future ready. The objective is to give every child wings to fly high. After thorough research on the sensory and learning difficulties of autistic kids, Mohsina designed a unique sensory robotic kit and curriculum for children with special needs. Antriksh, stimulates the children’s brain function with easy to do developmental activities which help in improving the child’s memory, attention, reaction time, with an abundance of customizable gadgets based on a variety of learning methods, used for enhancing progress and mind development. Mohsina has organized Robotics and Drone Piloting Summer camps. Invero Techno Robotics & Summer Camp 2018 was India’s first Robotics and Drone Piloting Summer Crash Course for Autistic Children across the Nation. She has trained more than 1000 children till now. Mohsina’s passion for aerial photography has been showcased in a series of coffee table books – ‘Secret of Mart’, ‘Mausoleum of Boulone Lise’ and ‘The Lat’, ‘The Mutiny’ and ‘Sibtainabad: Through the Lens of Time.’ She has received several awards and recognitions including the Uttar Pradesh Young Women Leaders Conclave Award, i-inspire Award at P.H.D. Chambers, Lucknow (2017) and recently the Devi Award (2019). Mohsina has participated in ISSET NASA Mentor Championship in 2019, and her idea was sent to international Space Station.
Mohsina has done her Bachelors of Technology and P.G.D.B.M from Leeds University, United Kingdom. She has also completed her Professional Sky Dive Accelerated Free Fall Course (A.F.F.) from Skydive Dubai in 2017. She is passionate about women’s participation in Robotics and she regularly provides global standard training to women and girls about drone making and piloting. 
References/Sourceshttp://radianceweekly.in/portal/issue/youth-power-hopes-and-challenges/article/start-up-for-a-cause/https://womenanddrones.com/taking-the-road-less-traveled/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/lucknow/creativity-at-its-best-at-this-science-fair-in-lucknow/articleshow/64917602.cms

RBTC Mentor NUZHAT HUSSAIN. Medicine. Dean, Professor and Head of Pathology. Officer-in-Charge of State Referral Centre for Lab Investigations. ex-Director, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Insitute of Medical Sciences. Lucknow. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Professor Nuzhat Husain is currently Dean, Professor and Head of Pathology and Officer In-charge State Referral Centre for Lab Investigations at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. 
She has  completed a previous term as dean  and also headed the institute in a director for two years. During her administrative tenures Dr Husain has been instrumental in development and expansion of the institute ensuring progress, commencement of new degrees addition of new facilities and campus while maintaining high standards. Her clinical interest areas include Oncopathology, Neuropathology and Molecular pathology.  
Prof Husain has done her MBBS in 1985 from JN Medical College,  Aligarh and her MD in Pathology from King George’s Medical University in 1989 with high merit and several awards including the prestigious  President of India’s silver medal for best woman student at the University in 1985 and the KB Kunwar Gold medal for best thesis in 1989, She commenced her academic career as lecturer to King George’s Medical University in 1991 where she served for 20 years. She has been honoured with several awards including the DSTs Boyscast fellowship under which she did a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University Boston USA.  
She has published 250 papers in peer reviewed journals, authored book chapters, delivered several prestigious lectures in India and abroad, guided more than 30 PhD students and over 60 MD, MS and MCh thesis.  She is honorary secretary of the Indian College of Pathologists, and has been Member of the College of American Pathologist and the US-Canadian academy of Pathology.  She has completed tenures as President of the UP Chapter of IAPM as well as President of the UP Chapter of IAC. 
Dr. Husain has created a unique model of public-public partnership and referral services in govt sector.  She taken leadership in implementing comprehensive and cost-effective diagnostic services bringing high end investigations like molecular pathology, flow cytometry, e-slides & telepathology, liquid based cytology in the reach of the common public.  Research work has been her forte and he has been principal investigator in 20 research extramural projects. She is on the editorial board of several journals and reviewer for articles. On the social front she is active in active in promoting cancer screening in women as well as works for the cause of promoting education and health of underprivileged individuals.
References/Sourceshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuzhat_Husain

RBTC Mentor NUZHAT PARVEEN KHAN, Law. Dean, School of Law, Bennett University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Nuzhat Parveen Khan (born 4 July 1964) is an Indian academician and author who serves as the dean of Bennett University's School of Law. She has formerly served as the dean of Jamia Millia Islamia's Faculty of Law. She has authored books such as Women and Child related Laws and Comparative Constitutional Law.
Khan graduated from the Lucknow University with a BSc in Chemistry. She received an LL.B and an LL.M degree from the Aligarh Muslim University. She completed her doctoral studies at the Jamia Millia Islamia.
Khan practiced as an advocate in 1989 before moving to academics. She joined the Faculty of Law of the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) in 1992 as assistant professor. She was promoted to associate professor in 2008 and then a professor in 2013. She served as the dean of the JMI's Faculty of Law from 2016 to 2019. During her deanship, the faculty secured first rank among the law schools in India, in a ranking done by India Today in 2017.
As of 2021, Parveen serves as the dean of Bennett University's School of Law. She has worked on a project for the Ministry of Women and Child Development, titled, A Study of Discriminative and Derogatory Practices against Women by Khap Panchayats, Kangaroo Courts and Shalishi Adalats in India: An Empirical Study in the States of Haryana, Rajasthan, Western U.P. and West Bengal. The project report was also presented before the Parliament of India in 2014 and was appreciated. 
Khan has authored books including Women and Child related Laws, Comparative Constitutional Law, Child Rights and the Law, Law and Justice in Globalized World, Legal Control of Air Pollution: Problems And Perspectives, Law relating to socio-economic offences and Disability Laws in India
References/Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuzhat_Parveen_Khanhttps://www.bennett.edu.in/faculties/dr-nuzhat-parveen-khan/

RBTC Mentor RUBINA HANIF PATEL, Social Work. Founder and President of Rubi Social Welfare Society. Nagpur, Maharashtra. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Rubina Patel is the Founder and President of Rubi Social Welfare Society (RSWS) working in the field of social development and awareness among the common people and women issues.Rubina is the recipient of the Baburao Samant Sangharsh Puraskar 2014. 
If fighting against an abusive father was not enough, she faced a violent husband, who pushed her into a well. As if her lonely struggle against corrupt system – vis-à-vis police and court staff that prevented and delayed justice to her – was not enough, she has faced death threats. However, rising above her odds, fighting and hoping against hope, Rubina survived all this and much more. And today, the 39-year-old resident of Tajbagh area, near the Tajuddin Baba Dargah, has become an inspiration for all. She counsels divorced Muslim women and helps out needy young girls and even elder women by training them to earn a living.
In 2005, during her MSW course itself, Rubina  started counseling poor needy women from her locality and started Rubi Social Welfare Society from a one-room rented house. As her work expanded, she interacted with several other activists and organizations she started attending workshops on gender and women’s empowerment.  The society has a counseling centre at Kuhi, another village in Nagpur district. Along with women’s rights work there, she also mobilized the women of that village, with about 50,000 population, to organize a daaru bandi protest (no liquor campaing) but did not succeed.
In 2011, Rubina opened the training centre – Rubi Training Institute – with an aim to offer livelihood related course to make women financially independent. “Women from my society, especially poor and illiterate, suffer a lot. And if they are talaq pidit(divorce sufferers), they face more problems. And what are the reasons for divorce? Small little things! Then, there are those taboos – don’t do this, do go there, don’t talk with that man, don’t venture out without a burqa. Burqa sirf kapde ka nahee hota hai, dharm ka bhee hota hai,” the young activist asserts. Today the training centre – recognized by the government for vocational courses – offers Beauty Culture, Montessori and Computer, for a nominal fee of R500 or R1000. Montessori training is a 9-months course with 10-12 ladies per batch; Beauty Culture training course runs for 6 months with 15 ladies per batch while the fashion designing is a full year course with 15 women and young girls.
References/Sources
https://twocircles.net/2014nov09/1415509586.htmlhttps://www.rswsngp.org/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J33aWddNdLM

RBTC Mentor SABAH USMANI, Urban Planner. Open to mentoring applicants for research oriented Masters and PhD programmes in the United States.  Pursuing PhD at Columbia University, New York. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Sabah Usmani is an Urban planner and interdisciplinary researcher with 7+ years of experience working on addressing needs of underserved populations in urban contexts. Research and professional experience across geographic scales in air pollution and health disparities, energy and water access, sustainable transportation, informal housing, and climate mitigation and adaptation planning in India, USA, Ecuador, and Malaysia. Skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods, policy analysis, using administrative, geospatial and remote sensing data, fieldwork and interviews, teaching at masters level, capacity building in LMICs, managing complex projects and processes. Research interests include neighborhood influences on health and wellbeing, spatial/social inequities and health outcomes, and applied urban analytics and data science for health and climate policy. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Climate & Health, at Columbia University. 
References/Sources
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabahusmani

RBTC Mentor. SABIHA AHMAD. Social Activist, Member Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board, Director Lucknow Institute of Technology, Lucknow. Click side arrow for profile details.

Sabiha Ahmad is a member of Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Board of Waqfs, as per Article 14 of Waqf Act (Act No 43 of 1995). She is a social activist focused on bridging the gap between the poor and facilitating their access to Government initiatives.
Sabiha's contributions range from working in numerous villages by collaborating with authorities to bring essential amenities like electricity, roads, personalised documents to the residents. She transformed a complete village, Rewankalan, by her sheer perseverance through bureaucratic quagmire. She enabled the village to get it's name corrected in the official records, and thus making implementation of various development schemes reach to each doorstep. She introduced the concept of 'Emotional Guardianship' by working tirelessly in making education available for students, particularly girls belonging to underprivileged class, by organising holistic requirements and monitoring. Sabiha is also working on empowering women in the villages and slums by enabling them to own their means of artisanship i.e. making available their own "adda" for chikankari, zardozi and raw materials. She had brought Indian Women on Internet by her Portal "ajisunteho.com" encompassing all personality and creative aspects of women, acclaimed Internationally and Nationally.
Ms. Ahmed currently serves as Director Administration of Lucknow Institute of Technology, Lucknow. Her initiative "FAHA makes Careers'', forayed women into new personality oriented careers. Sabiha has been awarded with Swayamsiddha Woman Achiever Award for Rural Development by Hon'ble Governor of UP(2018), International recognition Humanitarian Award at Dubai (2019) among numerous other Medals and recognitions.
Sabiha completed her graduation from Aligarh Muslim University and her early schooling from prestigious Carmel Convent at Lucknow. She has completed her MBA ( PGDM) from IPM Lucknow.

Sources/References

RBTC Mentor SAHARISH SIDDIQUI, Civil Services, Railway Protection Force Service (2010). Senior Commandant, RPF, Lucknow. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Saharish Siddiqui joined the Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF) Service, having qualified in the Civil Services examination in 2010. She currently serves as Senior Commandant, RFP at Lucknow. 
The Railway Protection Force strives to ensure the safety and security of the Indian Railways, one of the largest employers in the world. More than 60 million people travel in the train on an average each day. Apart from protection of Railway property and passengers, Ms. Siddiqui has focused her efforts on the rescue to women and children. During her tenure as Divisional Security Commissioner, North Eastern Railway Lucknow more than 500 children were rescued from Railway premises and trains. Saharish has worked with NGOS such as Childline and Ehsaas in rescue and rehabilitation of lost, runaways and trafficked children from railway stations and trains. She been instrumental in designing and implementing several new professional courses such as Cyber Investigations Techniques for RPF. Saharish has taken up several challenges, such as during her tenure as Commandant 2nd Battalion Railway Protection Special Force at Gorakhpur,  personnel under her command were deployed in sensitive locations in the North East, for election duty as well as emergency support across India. 
Ms. Siddiqui completed her graduation from Lady Sri Ram College in Delhi in Philosophy Honors and went on to pursue Masters in Culture and Society on a full scholarship from the London School of Economics (LSE), University of London. She also worked at a Student Tutor at LSE while completing her Masters.  
Saharish was awarded the DG Insignia in 2017. She also has the distinction of being selected as the ‘Best Probationary officer’ among her civil services batch.
Source / References
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saharish-siddiqui-853aaa14/?originalSubdomain=uk

RBTC Mentor SARA KHAN, Author and Book Coach, Founder Jot Down Ventures. Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for profile details.

Sara Khan is the Founder of Jot Down Ventures, Author of Four Bestsellers, Book Coach, Ghostwritten 30 books, Performance Coach, Speaker, Entrepreneur and Professor at Bada Business. She is on a mission to see Har Ghar Mein Author (i.e., at least one author from every household). 
She has won 11 National Awards, recent being the Iconic Women Award 2021 by IPlan. Her other awards include - Best Entrepreneur in India Award by The Crazy Tales; Global Women Inspiration Award 2021 by ICan Foundation; Nari Samman by Literoma; 101 Influential Women of India by The Crazy Tales; Author of the Year 2K20 by Author In You, India Young Achievers Award 2019 by Entrepreneur Live Network, 100 Inspiring Authors of India by The Indian Awaz.
Sara is a Government-certified Master Trainer, also a Life Skills Trainer who has impacted 6,000+ students’ lives in Delhi NCR in a span of five months. Some of the books authored by Sara Khan include:  Embrace Your Fear, Top 10 Secrets To Writing a Book Successfully, How To Create Positive Change in 21 Days and Separated. 
Sara's Jot Down Ventures is a one-stop solution for anyone who wants to become an author. It has two verticals - a publication house and an academy under the parent name. With Jot Down Academy, She had run many successful Bootcamps for Children between the age group of 8-18 years; and currently, she is working on creating 500 published authors by 2022. 
She is well-known as Smiling Sakha and, is pleased to connect on Instagram and Facebook @smilingsakha or at sarakhanwrites@gmail.com or jotdown.in@gmail.com
References/Sourceshttps://www.amazon.com/Sara-Khan/e/B076J1DR55%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_sharehttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17267014.Sara_Khanhttps://authorsarakhan.wordpress.com/about/Website: www.jotdown.in

RBTC Mentor SHABANA MASHRAKI. IT Industry. Client Manager at British Standards Institute, Information and Security Consultant. Mumbai, Maharashtra. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Shabana Mashraki is a Client Manager at British Standards Institute BSI, Mumbai. Shabana's twenty year professional experience in the IT industry spans Software Development, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Auditing, Consulting and Training. She also works as an Information Security Consultant with an Audit firm. Her recent assignments are in the Banking, NBFC, Pharma and Real Estate sectors.
Shabana has worked in the corporate quality groups of Patni Computers Ltd and Hexaware Technologies Ltd. During this stint she has undergone a full implementation of CMMi Dev L5 with Statistical Process Control. Ms. Mashraki has experience of conducting more than 200 project audits and conducted multiple rounds of Rational Process and Tool training. She was part of the award winning Project Start Support Team at Patni, and part of the award winning team at Hexaware that developed in-house process training CBT. Additionally she has undertaken org-wide Process Automation initiatives, especially in Software Configuration Management. As an independent consultant she has undertaken assignments for implementation of ITIL CMDB and ITSM best practices for Indian Oil PSU, Project Management for Singapore based MLM software company, Human Productivity Audit for Neterson Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Ms. Mashraki has undertaken CISA, ISO 9001:2008 Lead Assessor, CMMI Dev 1.2 L5, Rational Unified Process Certified, Experienced Rational Clearcase professional, ITIL v3 Foundation Course.
References/Sourcehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shabanamashrakihttps://www.facebook.com/shabana.mashraki

RBTC Mentor SHAHEEN USMANI, Director, Early Childhood Education & Early Intervention- India. Brooklyn College, New York. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Dr. Shaheen Usmani’s deep commitment and contribution to enhancing the education of young children and their families in India has inspired professors, medical doctors, psychologists, teachers and parents in India and the United States. She has set a high standard for India in developing inclusive high-quality early childhood education and early intervention programs for marginalized infants, toddlers, and children with and without disabilities. 
After receiving her Ph.D. in Education from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Shaheen taught in the education department at AMU before becoming an associate professor of the Institute of Advanced Studies in Education at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and then Professor and Department Chair of Adult and Continuing Education, where she developed programs to help communities with high educational and health care needs. During her time as a professor at JMI she developed Project Rehbar, a model literacy and skill enhancement curriculum for gardeners and janitors at the University. In the United States, Dr. Shaheen Usmani focused her scholarship and expertise on early childhood education and early intervention as the Project Head of Early Childhood Education and Intervention, India at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (CUNY). Dr. Usmani has involved U.S. faculty and students as well as the early childhood and early intervention providers in the development of educational programs working with marginalized children throughout India. She dreams of what is possible for children and families, reminding all who work with her that the marginalized children in India must receive the same quality education and care as their more advantaged peers. To provide project sustainability, Dr. Usmani led the effort in developing a Memo of Understanding between Brooklyn College (CUNY) and AMU and a partnership with faculty at JMI. The partnerships have led to numerous projects in both southern and northern India, which show both the breadth and depth of her work. She works with an Anganwadi (pre-school) in a remote Lahadara village and the Gonda Child Protection Home for foundlings in Uttar Pradesh and provides intensive teacher development for the innovative Sir Syed National Schools in Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and Sardhana. Dr. Shaheen Usmani works within the medical community, influencing their work with young children with disabilities. She has conducted early intervention training for the Iqraa International Hospital and Research Center faculty and physicians in Kozhikode, Kerala. When developing a Regional Early Intervention Center, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College at Aligarh Muslim University, Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics sought out Dr. Usmani for her expertise in early intervention to train and advise faculty regarding their work with infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities and their families.

RBTC Mentor SHAKEELA SHAMSU Academic Educationist. ex- Officer on Special Duty, (New Education Policy), Kochi, Kerala. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Dr. Shakila Shamsu has an academic career spanning four decades in teaching and academics at the University of Mumbai and Indira Gandhi National Open University and in the Government of India. Dr. Shamsu has held many key positions in the Government, -Officer on Special Duty (New Education Policy), in the Ministry of Education and was the Secretary to the Committee to Draft National Education Policy. She was also the Nodal Officer of the Government of India’s flagship Scheme of National Mission on Teachers and Teaching & during her tenure, 95 centers were approved for undertaking professional capacity building of faculty and over 5 lakh faculty have been trained. New initiatives of Leadership for Academicians Programme, Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT), and Faculty Induction Programmes were implemented during her tenure. Dr. Shakila earlier has held senior positions, - Officer on Special Duty (OSD- XII Plan),MoE and Joint Adviser (Education), Planning Commission. Her core research areas cover education planning and policy making, teacher education, and inclusive education. Dr. Shakila holds a Ph.D. in Education, Gold Medalist for Master’s in Political Science, PG Diploma in Distance Education, and a Degree in Law. She has to her credit, a number of articles in International Journals, Books and was involved in the preparation of several Government Reports on education. Currently, she is active in NEP advocacy; Hon. Adviser (Education), Centre for Public Policy & Research, Kochi; & Member, Governing Council, India MUN, a Pan India UN group for Youth in Climate Action.

RBTC Mentor SHEEBA HAMID, Tourism Professor, Department of Commerce. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Joint Secretary of National Executive Committee of Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress. Click side arrow for profile details.

Dr. Sheeba Hamid, is Professor, Coordinator & Training and Placement Officer of Masters Programme in Tourism at Aligarh Muslim University. She was a Visiting Faculty at the University of Goa. She has recently been appointed as Member of National Rural Tourism Council at WICCI (Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Dr. Hameed has served as Assistant Dean Students’ Welfare, AMU, and Nodal Officer, UGC Online Grievance Redressal Portal. She is a member of seven committees (including NAAC and Discipline Committee) working on different aspects of AMU, Aligarh. She is also Joint Secretary of National Executive Committee of Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress. Presently, she is Provost of Indira Gandhi Hall for Girls at AMU, responsible for residential arrangements of 600 girls. She is member of the AMU Women’s Club, a non-profit social welfare organization for women, and currently holding the position of its Treasurer.
Sheeba is the author of five books(including the first ever compilation of solved question papers cum guide to NET/JRF/Assistant Professor Eligibility examination in Tourism Administration and Management) and thirty five research papers on various aspects of Tourism. She has prepared study material for Open Universities and Distance Education Centers in India. Sheeba is a keen researcher and a skilled academia-industry event manager (organised national and international conferences, training programmes, students fest, handled delegations), besides being actively involved in University Administration. 
Dr. Hamid has delivered more than 80 invited talks in various academic events across India. She is associated with a number of universities in various academic assignments. She is a regular resource person at various national and international conferences. She is member of several editorial boards of Journals, Research Committees, Selection Committees, and Boards of Studies, Conference Advisory Committees in Tourism and is also a Counselor for Tourism Programmes at IGNOU. She has also conducted AMU Entrance Test Examination (Engineering, Graduation) at outside centers (Lucknow and Srinagar) as member/team leader (2012-till date).She has won awards for Best Speaker, Best Paper and Insight  award in various conferences  and has several honors to her credit too. Besides this, she leads an active corporate and social life. 
Sheeba is a keen traveler, connoisseur of literature, culture, art, cuisine and costumes.
Reference/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sheeba-hamid 658b99202/https://www.amu.ac.in/empcv/2313.pdfhttps://www.amu.ac.in/dshowfacultydata.jsp?did=23&eid=2313

RBTC Mentor SHEHLA JAMAL, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Founder, All India Society for Menstrual Disorders and Hygiene Management, Associate Professor at RMRI Bareilly, Greater Noida. Click side arrow for profile details.

Dr. Shehla Jamal, Obsterician and Gynecologist, is the Founder of the All India Society for Menstrual Disorders and Hygiene Management.  Dr. Jamal works as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at  Sharda Medical and Research Centre in Greater Noida. Dr. Jamal is also Associate Professor at RMRI, Bareilly. 
Dr. Jamal completed her MBBS and Diploma in Obstetrician & Gynaecology from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh. She later did her DNB from MR Bangur Hospital, Kolkata. Dr. Jamal has received a gold medal in her post graduate course. She was also part of a sensitization program of PPTCT –HIV during 2007 -2008. 
Dr. Jamal has presented various papers in state level and national level conferences and received the best paper prize in UPCON-2008. She is an active participant in various urban and rural health camps for breast and cervical cancer awareness programs. Was also involved in Adolescent Health Care Programs and presently involved in various research projects in the hospital.
An active member of FOGSI- Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India, Shehla was also awarded the “ Leaders of Tomorrow” award by FOGSI. 
References/Sourceshttps://www.shardahospital.org/meetourdoctors/dr-shehla-jamal https://www.vaidam.com/doctors/dr-shehla-jamal-gynecologist-obstetrician

RBTC Mentor SHAZIA KHAN, Entrepreneur, Founder & Managing Director, SANDP Private Ltd. Delhi.  Hometown: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Click side arrow for profile details.

Shazia Khan, is the Founder and Managing Director of  Sandp Private limited, which is an education consultancy that provides support and advice to students who intend to pursue higher education abroad since 2019. Shazia has experience of over 12 years with companies like Wipro, GE, B&Q UK. 
Ms. Khan executed the Ohio University’s educational promotion project pan-India. She provided operational support to ‘Education in Ireland’ fair in different cities. She also represented Trinity College, Dublin, and Dublin City University at ‘Education in Ireland’ fairs. She has imparted training to 44 educational consultants, eleven colleges and four institutes in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore. She has contributed to promoting young entrepreneurs and initiated various changes in the educational field. 
 Ms. Khan received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Commerce from Kanpur University, Uttar Pradesh. She then completed Master’s in Business Administration in Marketing from Birmingham University, UK (2007). She also received the NVQ Retail Certificate from British Government (2010). She then did her Master’s in Science (Project Management) from Birmingham University, UK (2011) and is a Certified Education Consultant from University of California.
Ms. Khan was felicitated by Delhi University for ‘Be the Change Event’(2019), by Deen Dayal Upadhya College for promoting start-ups (February, 2020), and by NIET, Greater Noida, for Dr Kalam start-up Parikrama.
References/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shazia-khan-99847510/ https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1k157jkqsyxk8&utm_content=7xyfd06

RBTC Mentor SHERIN SHERVANI, Educationist Entrepreneur, Founder & Director, Angel Global School and Academy for Teachers Training, Aligarh. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Dr. Sherin Shervani is the Founder and Director, Angel Global School and Academy for Teachers Training, Aligarh. Sherin established the Academy for Teachers Training at Aligarh in 2013. This Academy runs short term certificate Programs to train teachers of Private Schools in India. She has established the Angel Global School in 2017. 
Dr. Shervani has been working in administrative and managerial capacity at different institutions in the Middle-east Universities and Colleges: As Assistant Professor, English Language Institute, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah and College of Business Studies. She is also a Teacher Trainer for English Access Micro-scholarship Program (Regional English Language Program, Department of State, USA) since 2014. 
Sherin has taught Programs of (ESP) English for Specific Purposes for School teachers. She has developed the English Language Proficiency Program to enhance English as a medium of teaching in Indian schools. She has also conducted Soft-skills training sessions for Professionals like Charted Accountants, Management trainees and Computer specialists. 
Dr. Shervani has a PhD and Masters in English Literature from Aligarh Muslim University. Aligarh. She also has several certifications including Teacher Trainer at ACCESS Program (RELO, US Embassy, India ). Subject Matter Expert at Merit Track, India. Teacher Trainer and Content Developer for Collins. Dr. Shervani has co-edited and written books like: Writing Skills published by Viva Books, 2019. ‘TUNE IN!’ A Listening and Speaking Series for class 1-8 published by Collins- India 2018. Sherin co-edited the book Literary Selfies: Self Identity in Indian Muslim English Fiction published by Kitaab, Singapore 2017.
Sherin has been engaging in the social work as Director, Ilyas Charitable Trust. Adult Education Advisor, Disha: Unique Social Welfare & Charitable Society. Executive Board Member of Muslim Social Uplift Society. 
References/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sherin-shervani-57189616/?originalSubdomain=inhttps://old.amu.ac.in/about3.jsp?did=5875http://www.vivagroupindia.com/frmBookDetail.aspx?BookId=79856&Status=N

RBTC Mentor SHIRIN HASAN, Seasoned Executive Leader in the Healthcare Industry, Vice President at The Foundry, Saratoga, California. Click side arrow for profile details. 

Shirin Hasan, heads Global Clinical and Medical Affairs as Vice President at The Foundry, where the teams are committed to inventing technologies and building companies that redefine the standard of care and transform patients’ lives.  Her career spanning over 25 years has included expertise in the R&D, regulatory, medical, and clinical fields.  Prior to joining the Foundry, she headed Global Clinical Affairs at Agilent Technologies, with responsibility for development and execution of clinical strategies to support Agilent’s Cancer Diagnostics, Genomics Solutions, Life Sciences and Clinical environment across the enterprise. She also led partnerships with key opinion leaders and pharmaceutical companies. Shirin also had a lengthy tenure at Medtronic, where she led clinical affairs in their Gastrointestinal business.  Notably, Shirin was the first clinical hire at BARRX Medical, where she developed a successful clinical program for the company’s treatment of esophageal cancer, which was acquired by Covidien for $400M and later merged into Medtronic.  Shirin was critical in bringing the concept to treat esophageal cancer to data driven regulatory approvals, to a successful launch to worldwide market adoption as Standard of Care for the disease. Shirin has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals and has 2 patents. 
Shirin is a champion of empowerment of women, children and family services, and diversity and inclusion. She is a member of a global women's empowerment organization. She is also a part of several scientific organizations such as the Precision Medicine Coalition and MedTech Women. Shirin advises startups in setting up a clinical and adoption strategy. Shirin is a recognized SME in her field and is well respected by thought leaders and is recognized for her core values of effective leadership, integrity, and innovation. She was nominated to participate in the G100 program which helps senior executives succeed and get ready for the C-suite. Shirin moved to the USA in 1990 and holds a MS in Chemistry from San Jose State University/ Stanford University, a MS in Biochemistry and a BS in Life Sciences and Biochemistry from Bombay University. 
References/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shirinhasan/

RBTC Mentor ZOYA FATEHALLYCorporate Sector. Telecom Expert, Engineer, Squad Group Leader, Technical Manager. Nokia Systems and Networks, Bengaluru. Click arrow for profile details. 

Zoya Nayara Fatehally has been working since 2008 with Nokia Systems and Networks (formerly Alcatel Lucent India Ltd) at Bengaluru.  She serves as a Squad group Leader/Technical Manager.
Earlier Zoya has worked at the Centre for Development of Telematics starting 1985, contributing to the telecom revolution of India – active member of the  engineering  team the PBX, RAX, MAX – not only design, test and field support but also taking the equipment to external laboratories for certifications. In 2000, she joined Velankini Information systems as the Quality and Product manager. Took the company from ad-hoc to ISO 9001 certified in record time. 
Next, Zoya became a part of the Indigenous hand-held computer team at  Picopeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd. Successfully productised the Simputer in her role was the technical liaison between the tiny Academics’ led company and the India giant Bharat Electronics Ltd. Following this, was Indian start-up – MobiApps Pvt. Ltd., developing tracking products. 
Born in 1960, Zoya completed her schooling and joined Aligarh Muslim University as an Engineering student. Completed Bachelor’s and Masters in Engineering from the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology of AMU. Zoya is also PMP (Project Management Professional) certified.  
Zoya developed a deep interest in horse riding. At age 10, she joined the AMU Riding club and continued to be an enthusiastic and able horse rider , winning a National Tent Pegging prize and eventually, after being champion and Runners Up in the open competition at the club, went on to be the first (& perhaps only) woman captain of AMU Riding Club.
Links/Referenceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/zoya-fatehally-8a4ba3/?originalSubdomain=in

We invite you to explore the other pages of this website for profiles of inspiring Muslim women from across our various states compendium, including from your own states and districts.  We welcome feedback of our young colleagues to continue to make this programme relevant to your needs. Please send your comments to safarsecretariat@gmail.com