Who
We
Are
Concept of ITARI
Rarely do we think what is the concept of an organisation. At Indus Training And Research Institute, that’s where we begin. Thinking conceptually is our way of life. We ask what is the concept of ITARI; of a mentor; of an educator in these times; and of education in 4th IR. So, what is the concept of a teacher preparation and research organization like ITARI?
ITARI = preparing ethical, innovation-oriented educators
The concept of ‘preparation’ is inspiring educators to upskill towards taking charge of their own learning for life. The concept of ‘ethical, innovation-oriented educators’ is to activate an exponential mindset in educators so that they are ever-ready to innovate themselves to serve the cause of teaching the child.
The purpose of education is to prepare the children for the future. With the future becoming more volatile with climate change, geopolitics, and disruptive technologies, the concept of ITARI becomes more relevant. ITARI prepares ethical educators who mentor the children to lead innovation. They are aware that the role of a teacher is to teach the child and not the subject alone.
History of
ITARI
<2009
Indus Training and Reserech Institute was envisioned by Lt Gen Arjun Ray, who believes that educators and creators of a better world and commissions the organization to create designers who can be instrumental in crafting this.
2009
Indus Training and Research Institute begins operations. We are inaugurated by Mr. Gavin Newsom, The Governor of California, USA.
2009 – 2011
ITARI becomes a leading institution in preparing teachers to teach the International Baccalaureate programmes effectively.
2012
ITARI enters collaboration with University of Keele, UK. to co-offer the teacher
2013
ITARI decides to serve the in-service teachers alongside. We begin offering the Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications.
2014 – 2018
ITARI students gain their Postgraduate Certificate in International Education in association with Birmingham City University, UK. WE become a leading Cambridge
2018 – 2019
- ITARI offers MA with IBEC in partnership with University of Bath, UK.
- ITARI signs a research partnership with University of Glasgow to study the nature of creativity learning in PGCE students.
2020
ITARI signs a formal partnership with Birmingham City University, UK. We become the leading institution in co-offering Level 7 teacher education programmes: PGCE-I; PGDE-I, MA. Ed.
2021 – 2022
ITARI graduates the first batch of teacher-researchers. ITARI begins Professional Development partnerships with leading education institutions like DSSC, Welham, Oakridge.
2023
We are now opening Teacher Education in Early Childhood Education; and IB Educator Certifications. We have opened a Centre for Research to study areas like micro-learning, learning with exponential technologies like mixed reality, blockchain, big data; personalising learning; and how to learn, unlearn, & relearn.
History of
ITARI
<2009
Indus Training and Reserech Institute was envisioned by Lt Gen Arjun Ray, who believes that educators and creators of a better world and commissions the organization to create designers who can be instrumental in crafting this.
2009
Indus Training and Research Institute begins operations. We are inaugurated by Mr. Gavin Newsom, The Governor of California, USA.
2009 – 2011
ITARI becomes a leading institution in preparing teachers to teach the International Baccalaureate programmes effectively.
2012
ITARI enters collaboration with University of Keele, UK. to co-offer the teacher
2013
ITARI decides to serve the in-service teachers alongside. We begin offering the Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications.
2014 – 2018
ITARI students gain their Postgraduate Certificate in International Education in association with Birmingham City University, UK. WE become a leading Cambridge
2018 – 2019
- ITARI offers MA with IBEC in partnership with University of Bath, UK.
- ITARI signs a research partnership with University of Glasgow to study the nature of creativity learning in PGCE students.
2020
ITARI signs a formal partnership with Birmingham City University, UK. We become the leading institution in co-offering Level 7 teacher education programmes: PGCE-I; PGDE-I, MA. Ed.
2021 – 2022
ITARI graduates the first batch of teacher-researchers. ITARI begins Professional Development partnerships with leading education institutions like DSSC, Welham, Oakridge.
2023
We are now opening Teacher Education in Early Childhood Education; and IB Educator Certifications. We have opened a Centre for Research to study areas like micro-learning, learning with exponential technologies like mixed reality, blockchain, big data; personalising learning; and how to learn, unlearn, & relearn.
Leadership & Guidance
Prof. Shivram Malavalli is currently the Chairman of the Indian Institute of Production Engineers, Senior Advisor at the World Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, and General Secretary of the Indian Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks Association. He guides all the futuristic planning, and technology-related initiatives at Indus, shaping us into one of the best schools to have remarkable technological capability.
Prof. Shivram Malavalli
Mr. H. B. Jairaj, is the Chairman of HRB Group of companies. He has an MBA (Finance) from Case Western Reserve University, USA, and is a prominent industrialist from Karnataka. Mr. Jairaj has guided his group of organizations into successful ventures across diverse enterprises. His group’s various interests include real estate, hotels/serviced apartments, restaurants, and healthcare facilities. At Indus, he is at the helm of strategic and financial planning, paving the way up for us to be topmost on the list of best schools.
Mr. H.B. Jairaj
Dr. Kumar Malavalli is an entrepreneur, renowned philanthropist, and visionary in the field of storage networks. He is the co-author and driving force behind Fibre Channel. He is also the Co-founder and former CTO of Brocade Communications; Co-founder, Chairman, and CSO of InMage Systems; and the CSO of LeadFormix. His contributions towards promoting the Entrepreneurship Curriculum and the Wellness Philosophy of the school are rather significant and have been instrumental in making Indus one of the top international schools.
Dr. Kumar Malavalli
A soldier-scholar of the Indian Army, Lt. General Arjun Ray, PVSM, VSM (Retd.), has wide-ranging experience in matters of defense and conflict management. As an ardent believer in leading purposeful life, he has a deep-rooted passion for social transformation. As the CEO-MD of the Indus Trust he provides vision and strategic direction to all Indus International Schools and Institutions. He is responsible for long-term perspective planning; leadership training; teacher development programmes; and in aligning parents, children, and the community, towards implementing the Trust’s social responsibilities.A soldier-scholar of the Indian Army, Lt. General Arjun Ray, PVSM, VSM (Retd.), has wide-ranging experience in matters of defense and conflict management. As an ardent believer in leading purposeful life, he has a deep-rooted passion for social transformation. As the CEO-MD of the Indus Trust he provides vision and strategic direction to all Indus International Schools and Institutions. He is responsible for long-term perspective planning; leadership training; teacher development programmes; and in aligning parents, children, and the community, towards implementing the Trust’s social responsibilities.
Lt. General Arjun Ray, PVSM, VSM (Retd.)
Dr. Sarojini Rao, has been the Principal of Indus International School, Bangalore since July 2005. Due to her dynamic and charismatic presence, the Indus International Schools and Indus Training and Research Institute have benefited exponentially. She is the Managing Trustee of Indus International Community School, Bangalore, one of India’s best international schools that offer quality education to the underprivileged. Dr. Rao has been instrumental in planning the curriculum and inter-curricular strategy, defining academic and non-academic objectives for the school, and training teachers.
Dr. Sarojini Rao
Dr. Mala Palani has worked in both K-12 and teacher education. Her rich experience in both the areas inform her research and teaching at ITARI. As the director, she inspires bold ideas and supports their implementation. As a teacher educator, she uses data-led dialogic reflection and case studies to impact deep thinking in her classes. At ITARI she brings her experience and deep passion to build an ecosystem where teachers – learners – teacher educators – universities – society and industry can work together towards education for a wisdom-based society.
Dr. Mala Palani
As Associate Professor and the Quality Enhancement Lead for the School of Education and Social Work, Simon has held responsibility for all quality and compliance matters for programmes covering the initial training of teachers and social workers, cross-education professionals, and the continuing professional development of experienced practitioners in education-related fields. He is a member of the School Executive Group, playing a key strategic leadership role
Prof. Simon Spencer
Dr. Tina Collins is the Senior Lecturer in Education, and she is currently leading the Masters in Education (taught) programme. Dr. Tina’s experience also includes teacher training. Being ITE Secondary Partnership Research Lead and Link Academic Tutor for the PGDE-I and MA programmes she works dedicatedly with the Indus Training and Research Institute in India (ITARI). She has also been the Subject Leader of an English department and Assistant Headteacher in two non-selective secondary schools within the South-East of England
Dr. Tina Collins
Prof. Mary O’Connor is the BCU Course Lead for International Post Graduate Teacher Education Courses. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Since October 2021, Mary has worked as the Course Lead for the ITARI PGDE – I, and MA Education Courses, a role that involves managing, leading, and quality-assuring all ITARI Teacher Education Courses. Mary also leads the Coaching and Mentoring of master’s Level module for school-based mentors at BCU as well as teaching mathematics.
Prof. Mary O’Connor
Clair Bowen works with MA.Ed. dissertation scholars to support and supervise them through all processes of preparing and writing the dissertation. She has 7 years of MA Tutor experience, specializing in MA Education. She is the Strand Lead for the MA Education International Students. She understands the complexities of meeting the demands of studying for an MA through a course based in England and she is able to offer all levels of support that is needed for the scholars to successfully complete their studies to their greatest potential.
Prof. Clair Bowen
Prof. Bonser has worked at BCU since 2015 after working as a mathematics teacher in schools across the West Midlands. Her work is predominantly in mathematics teacher training across a variety of routes into the profession. She also works across different Masters programmes as a dissertation supervisor for final-year projects. Her main areas of interest lie in mathematics education and her main research area is into mathematical anxiety in school-aged children
Prof. Sarah Bonser
Prof. Kevin Mattinson has worked at Birmingham City University (BCU) since February 2014. He has been the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health, Education, and Life sciences, Head of the School of Education, and Professor of Teacher Education. He came to BCU from the University of Keele, where he had been the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Partnerships) and Head of Teacher Education for several years. Kevin has sat on a number of advisory bodies
Prof. Kevin Mattinson
Prof. Liam McGrath is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Birmingham City University and since joining the university in 2019 has supported the delivery of teacher education within the Secondary and Post-Compulsory Education and Training Department in the School of Education and Social Work. Liam was elected Chair of the Strategic Leadership Partnership Committee, making recommendations to the School of Education and Social Work for approval matters relating to the quality and standards of PCET awards
Prof. Liam McGrath
Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Prof. Jeffrey Thompson
Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Dr. Mary Hayden
Prof. Sunitha Amencherla teaches and mentors teacher-learners across programmes. She has rich experience in K-12 education reform. She has architected reform at the grassroots level through advocacy, building and implementing strong technology-based curriculum, teacher training in ICT implementation, and skilling teachers in Assessment for Learning
Ms. Sunitha Amencherla
Dr Sumita Rao K has about 3 decades of experience across K-12 Education. She has developed content for Social Science Textbook at the secondary level for Karnataka State Syllabus, conducted capacity building programmes and workshops for teachers across school boards and has published in several National and International Journals. At Indus Training and Research Institute, she leads the Cambridge Teacher Professional Development Programmes.
Dr. K Sumita Rao
Dr. Anamika is a senior faculty teaching across programmes. As a leading researcher herself, she takes pride in guiding futuristic research practices. She is currently working on NEP 2020 implementation; Personalising Learning; and Teachers Partnering with Technology to Teach competencies to Children. She has experience in higher education including elementary and secondary school teacher education. She has published extensively on internationalisation of higher education, and human rights education. She is a recipient of Taiwan Government’s Scholarship for a Ph.D. in Education. Anamika was a visiting faculty at Uppsala University, and a Summer Intern at Georg Eckert Institute, Germany.
Dr. Anamika
Dr. Priyank has a multidisciplinary background of engineering, social work, counselling and education. He has worked with multiple national and international education organizations and consulted them on strategy, research, technology, pedagogy, etc. Priyank specializes in creating contextual educational experiences and is an advisor to several grassroot organizations including CITTA India and CoLab Global. He is a JRF Awardee and has both national and international publications to his name.
Dr. Priyank
Dr. Madhur Gupta having 21 years of extensive experience in leadership roles in higher education institutions. Being an international speaker, panel moderator, researcher & academician, she received many prestigious accolades & awards in higher education. Teaching, research administration, consultation & marketing are Dr Madhur’s core areas. Associated with many institutions in the area of MDPs, FDPs, marketing, strategic planning & educational interventions. Published 26 International & UGC Research papers and 2 research books. Associated with 2 international journals as an editorial board member. She holds a Doctorate in education, M.Ed., M.B.A., M.A.(Psychology), M.A.(English), MDPs & B.El.Ed. from reputed institutions.
Dr. Madhur Gupta
Dr. Simran Randhawa is one of the senior faculty members at ITARI. Her practice is informed by her experience spanning over 25 years, in the areas of k-12 education, as well as graduate and post graduate level teaching at university level. She specializes in Special education Needs (SEN) and Inclusive education and has a keen interest in the area of neuropedagogy . Her qualifications include M.Ed , Mphil , Ph.D and a PGDE-I from Birmingham City University .She is the recipient of a Fellowship award 2023, from the India vision Foundation for her research in the area of Autism.
Dr. Simran Randhawa
Ms. Ramaa Muthukumaran teaches and mentors our M.A. Ed. as well as PGDE-I cohorts. She has experience in education management and teacher education and brings with her unique capabilities from the space of Systems Thinking.
Ms. Ramaa Muthukumaran
Dr. Mathew Sinu Simon is a faculty member at the Indus Training and Research Institute (ITARI). Before joining the institute, he was an Assistant Professor at the School of Law, Presidency University, Bangalore. As an enthusiastic educator with a passion for teaching across disciplines in social science, he believes in carrying forward wisdom and knowledge to the next generation of avid learners. He was awarded doctorate in Political Science at the University of Hyderabad, Telangana. He was a researcher in Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. His research endeavours have focused on Indian foreign policy, national security, and geopolitics in today’s globalizing world. To be specific, his research interests gravitate towards examining the evolving nature of power dynamics and praxis of India-EU-China relations vis-à-vis the role of the United States in areas of geopolitics, technology, and society in the Indo-Pacific region. He aspires to contribute meaningful insights through rigorous academic research that addresses contemporary socio-economic challenges.
Dr. Mathew Sinu Simon
Ms. Pratima Sahu is one of the Senior Faculty member at ITARI, Bangalore. Exhibiting a strong academic background, she has held Assistant Professor, and Academic Counsellor positions at RIE (NCERT) in Bhopal, Vikram Dev University in Odisha, and IGNOU, Eastern Zone, India. Her research focuses on the psychosocial dimensions of learning and multilingual pedagogy. She holds a Doctorate in Education, M.Ed., B.Ed., M.A. Sociology, PGDGC, and PGDSRM from reputed universities in India.She specializes inCurriculum Development, Pedagogy of Social Science, Guidance and Counselling, Learning Assessment, Multilingual Pedagogy, and Sociology of Education. Notably, she served as a Research Associate on the “Swavalamban” project, which was financed by the British Council and the University of Manchester. Her involvement in significant initiatives outside of academia was demonstrated by this project, which sought to equip rural teaching communities for effective teaching through high-quality teacher training. Through her diverse experiences and expertise, she continues to contribute significantly to the field of education, striving to improve teaching and learning practices and promote inclusive education for all.
Ms. Pratima Sahu
Ms. Sowmya Naidu works towards communicating and marketing the concept of ITARI. She enjoys connecting with educators across the world to spread 21st Century-relevant teacher education and research at ITARI. She comes up with several strategic ideas to build a strong community that is focused on innovating best practices in education. Sowmya has more than one decade’s experience in marketing education programmes. Her relentless drive to serve ITARI’s vision has often been a source of inspiration to her team.
Ms. Sowmya Naidu
Sonali Malhotra is an accomplished professional in the field of Early Childhood Education, holding the prestigious role of Programme Lead, faculty trainer, and mentor within the Early Childhood Education Programme. Her expertise is primarily centred around the areas of play-based inquiry in inclusive classrooms, special needs education, scientific inquiry, and Social Emotional Learning. Her extensive knowledge is underpinned by practical experience gained from her exposure to Finnish teaching practices in Finland, coupled with her involvement in International Baccalaureate programmes. Sonali’s impressive portfolio includes a collection of published articles in renowned international journals, involvement in research projects, and the implementation of data-based experiments that significantly contribute to the progress of education. Her educational background is extensive, encompassing a liberal arts degree from Delhi University, as well as dual post-graduate qualifications: an MA. Ed in International Education from Birmingham City, UK, and a Cambridge International Diploma from Teacher Foundation, UK. Committed to lifelong learning, Sonali is committed to innovative teacher training and mentoring programs for aspiring educators.
Ms. Sonali Malhotra
Ms. Uttama Singh is one of the senior staff of the Indus community. She is a passionate Early Childhood Educator who believes that the transformative power of play has a potential to create a better world. With over a decade of experience as an Early Years Educator and Coordinator, she has contributed her valuable insights into teaching young learners. She extends her knowledge and expertise to inspire fellow educators through training to embrace child-centric pedagogy and play-based research approach. Certified in Special Needs Education, she holds a Postgraduate and a dual degree in commerce and education and is dedicated to lifelong learning. As a member of ITARI ECE faculty, she focuses on teacher research and training to foster an environment where every learner thrives.
Ms. Uttama Singh
Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan, Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Indus Training and Research Institute, has 11 years of experience in Early Childhood pedagogical leadership and in-service teacher training and insights from Finnish practices to her role. She is committed to equipping educators with innovative practices and pedagogical leadership to enhance the learning experiences through quality teacher education. She places a strong emphasis on research and teacher training, driven by her profound passion for fostering the growth and development of young minds. She achieves this by fostering collaboration and collective intelligence among future educators, thereby contributing to the field of early childhood education.
Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan
As Associate Professor and the Quality Enhancement Lead for the School of Education and Social Work, Simon has held responsibility for all quality and compliance matters for programmes covering the initial training of teachers and social workers, cross-education professionals, and the continuing professional development of experienced practitioners in education-related fields. He is a member of the School Executive Group, playing a key strategic leadership role
Prof. Simon Spencer Dr. Tina Collins is the Senior Lecturer in Education, and she is currently leading the Masters in Education (taught) programme. Dr. Tina’s experience also includes teacher training. Being ITE Secondary Partnership Research Lead and Link Academic Tutor for the PGDE-I and MA programmes she works dedicatedly with the Indus Training and Research Institute in India (ITARI). She has also been the Subject Leader of an English department and Assistant Headteacher in two non-selective secondary schools within the South-East of England
Dr. Tina Collins Prof. Mary O’Connor is the BCU Course Lead for International Post Graduate Teacher Education Courses. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Since October 2021, Mary has worked as the Course Lead for the ITARI PGDE – I, and MA Education Courses, a role that involves managing, leading, and quality-assuring all ITARI Teacher Education Courses. Mary also leads the Coaching and Mentoring of master’s Level module for school-based mentors at BCU as well as teaching mathematics.
Prof. Mary O’Connor Clair Bowen works with MA.Ed. dissertation scholars to support and supervise them through all processes of preparing and writing the dissertation. She has 7 years of MA Tutor experience, specializing in MA Education. She is the Strand Lead for the MA Education International Students. She understands the complexities of meeting the demands of studying for an MA through a course based in England and she is able to offer all levels of support that is needed for the scholars to successfully complete their studies to their greatest potential.
Prof. Clair Bowen Prof. Bonser has worked at BCU since 2015 after working as a mathematics teacher in schools across the West Midlands. Her work is predominantly in mathematics teacher training across a variety of routes into the profession. She also works across different Masters programmes as a dissertation supervisor for final-year projects. Her main areas of interest lie in mathematics education and her main research area is into mathematical anxiety in school-aged children
Prof. Sarah Bonser Prof. Kevin Mattinson has worked at Birmingham City University (BCU) since February 2014. He has been the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health, Education, and Life sciences, Head of the School of Education, and Professor of Teacher Education. He came to BCU from the University of Keele, where he had been the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Partnerships) and Head of Teacher Education for several years. Kevin has sat on a number of advisory bodies
Prof. Kevin Mattinson Prof. Liam McGrath is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Birmingham City University and since joining the university in 2019 has supported the delivery of teacher education within the Secondary and Post-Compulsory Education and Training Department in the School of Education and Social Work. Liam was elected Chair of the Strategic Leadership Partnership Committee, making recommendations to the School of Education and Social Work for approval matters relating to the quality and standards of PCET awards
Prof. Liam McGrath Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Prof. Jeffrey Thompson Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Dr. Mary Hayden Prof. Sunitha Amencherla teaches and mentors teacher-learners across programmes. She has rich experience in K-12 education reform. She has architected reform at the grassroots level through advocacy, building and implementing strong technology-based curriculum, teacher training in ICT implementation, and skilling teachers in Assessment for Learning
Ms. Sunitha Amencherla
Dr. Sumita Rao has 27 years of experience in K-12 Education and Teacher Education. During this period, she has been involved in K-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Teaching, and Teacher Training. She has organized and prepared several training modules and has led several workshops, training & capacity-building programs for School Teachers, Teacher Educators, and Teacher Trainees. She has 14 papers published in various journals. In ITARI she is instrumental in leading the Cambridge teacher professional development programmes. She is deeply invested in building reflective practitioners in the K-12 sector
Dr. Sumita Rao
Dr. Anamika is a senior faculty teaching across programmes. As a leading researcher herself, she takes pride in guiding futuristic research practices. She is currently working on NEP 2020 implementation; Personalising Learning; and Teachers Partnering with Technology to Teach competencies to Children. She has experience in higher education including elementary and secondary school teacher education. She has published extensively on internationalisation of higher education, and human rights education. She is a recipient of Taiwan Government’s Scholarship for a Ph.D. in Education. Anamika was a visiting faculty at Uppsala University, and a Summer Intern at Georg Eckert Institute, Germany.
Dr. Anamika Dr. Priyank “Priyank has a multidisciplinary background of engineering, social work, counselling and education. He has worked with multiple national and international education organizations and consulted them on strategy, research, technology, pedagogy, etc. Priyank specializes in creating contextual educational experiences and is an advisor to several grassroot organizations including CITTA India and CoLab Global. He is a JRF Awardee and has both national and international publications to his name.”
Dr. Priyank Having 21 years of extensive experience in leadership roles in higher education institutions. Being an international speaker, panel moderator, researcher & academician, she received many prestigious accolades & awards in higher education. Teaching, research administration, consultation & marketing are Dr Madhur’s core areas. Associated with many institutions in the area of MDPs, FDPs, marketing, strategic planning & educational interventions. Published 26 International & UGC Research papers and 2 research books. Associated with 2 international journals as an editorial board member. She holds a Doctorate in education, M.Ed., M.B.A., M.A.(Psychology), M.A.(English), MDPs & B.El.Ed. from reputed institutions.
Dr. Madhur Gupta Dr Pooja Bahuguna, Faculty ITARI, is an expert of Early Literacy and Early Childhood Education . She has 12 years of research and teaching experience in this field, especially early reading, significance of reading comprehension and emergent literacy. She has worked extensively for capacity building of early years’ educators. She has worked closely with learners of kindergarten and early primary years. She has been part of various projects undertaken by Department of Elementary Education NCERT and Regional Resource Centre of Education (RRCEE) Delhi. She is also a core member of Literacy group functional in the Department of Education, University of Delhi.
Dr. Pooja
Dr. Simran Randhawa is one of the senior faculty members at ITARI. Her practice is informed by her experience spanning over 25 years, in the areas of k-12 education, as well as graduate and post graduate level teaching at university level. She specializes in Special education Needs (SEN) and Inclusive education and has a keen interest in the area of neuropedagogy . Her qualifications include M.Ed , Mphil , Ph.D and a PGDE-I from Birmingham City University .She is the recipient of a Fellowship award 2023, from the India vision Foundation for her research in the area of Autism.
Dr. Simran Randhawa Ms. Sowmya Naidu works towards communicating and marketing the concept of ITARI. She enjoys connecting with educators across the world to spread 21st Century-relevant teacher education and research at ITARI. She comes up with several strategic ideas to build a strong community that is focused on innovating best practices in education. Sowmya has more than one decade’s experience in marketing education programmes. Her relentless drive to serve ITARI’s vision has often been a source of inspiration to her team.
Ms. Sowmya Naidu Sonali Malhotra is an accomplished professional in the field of Early Childhood Education, holding the prestigious role of Programme Lead, faculty trainer, and mentor within the Early Childhood Education Programme. Her expertise is primarily centred around the areas of play-based inquiry in inclusive classrooms, special needs education, scientific inquiry, and Social Emotional Learning. Her extensive knowledge is underpinned by practical experience gained from her exposure to Finnish teaching practices in Finland, coupled with her involvement in International Baccalaureate programmes. Sonali’s impressive portfolio includes a collection of published articles in renowned international journals, involvement in research projects, and the implementation of data-based experiments that significantly contribute to the progress of education. Her educational background is extensive, encompassing a liberal arts degree from Delhi University, as well as dual post-graduate qualifications: an MA. Ed in International Education from Birmingham City, UK, and a Cambridge International Diploma from Teacher Foundation, UK. Committed to lifelong learning, Sonali is committed to innovative teacher training and mentoring programs for aspiring educators.
Ms. Sonali Malhotra Ms. Uttama Singh is one of the senior staff of the Indus community. She is a passionate Early Childhood Educator who believes that the transformative power of play has a potential to create a better world. With over a decade of experience as an Early Years Educator and Coordinator, she has contributed her valuable insights into teaching young learners. She extends her knowledge and expertise to inspire fellow educators through training to embrace child-centric pedagogy and play-based research approach. Certified in Special Needs Education, she holds a Postgraduate and a dual degree in commerce and education and is dedicated to lifelong learning. As a member of ITARI ECE faculty, she focuses on teacher research and training to foster an environment where every learner thrives.
Ms. Uttama Singh Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan, Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Indus Training and Research Institute, has 11 years of experience in Early Childhood pedagogical leadership and in-service teacher training and insights from Finnish practices to her role. She is committed to equipping educators with innovative practices and pedagogical leadership to enhance the learning experiences through quality teacher education. She places a strong emphasis on research and teacher training, driven by her profound passion for fostering the growth and development of young minds. She achieves this by fostering collaboration and collective intelligence among future educators, thereby contributing to the field of early childhood education.
Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan As Associate Professor and the Quality Enhancement Lead for the School of Education and Social Work, Simon has held responsibility for all quality and compliance matters for programmes covering the initial training of teachers and social workers, cross-education professionals, and the continuing professional development of experienced practitioners in education-related fields. He is a member of the School Executive Group, playing a key strategic leadership role
Prof. Simon Spencer Dr. Tina Collins is the Senior Lecturer in Education, and she is currently leading the Masters in Education (taught) programme. Dr. Tina’s experience also includes teacher training. Being ITE Secondary Partnership Research Lead and Link Academic Tutor for the PGDE-I and MA programmes she works dedicatedly with the Indus Training and Research Institute in India (ITARI). She has also been the Subject Leader of an English department and Assistant Headteacher in two non-selective secondary schools within the South-East of England
Dr. Tina Collins Dr. Tina Collins is the Senior Lecturer in Education, and she is currently leading the Masters in Education (taught) programme. Dr. Tina’s experience also includes teacher training. Being ITE Secondary Partnership Research Lead and Link Academic Tutor for the PGDE-I and MA programmes she works dedicatedly with the Indus Training and Research Institute in India (ITARI). She has also been the Subject Leader of an English department and Assistant Headteacher in two non-selective secondary schools within the South-East of England
Dr. Tina Collins Prof. Mary O’Connor is the BCU Course Lead for International Post Graduate Teacher Education Courses. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Since October 2021, Mary has worked as the Course Lead for the ITARI PGDE – I, and MA Education Courses, a role that involves managing, leading, and quality-assuring all ITARI Teacher Education Courses. Mary also leads the Coaching and Mentoring of master’s Level module for school-based mentors at BCU as well as teaching mathematics.
Prof. Mary O’Connor Clair Bowen works with MA.Ed. dissertation scholars to support and supervise them through all processes of preparing and writing the dissertation. She has 7 years of MA Tutor experience, specializing in MA Education. She is the Strand Lead for the MA Education International Students. She understands the complexities of meeting the demands of studying for an MA through a course based in England and she is able to offer all levels of support that is needed for the scholars to successfully complete their studies to their greatest potential.
Prof. Clair Bowen Prof. Bonser has worked at BCU since 2015 after working as a mathematics teacher in schools across the West Midlands. Her work is predominantly in mathematics teacher training across a variety of routes into the profession. She also works across different Masters programmes as a dissertation supervisor for final-year projects. Her main areas of interest lie in mathematics education and her main research area is into mathematical anxiety in school-aged children
Prof. Sarah Bonser Prof. Kevin Mattinson has worked at Birmingham City University (BCU) since February 2014. He has been the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health, Education, and Life sciences, Head of the School of Education, and Professor of Teacher Education. He came to BCU from the University of Keele, where he had been the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Partnerships) and Head of Teacher Education for several years. Kevin has sat on a number of advisory bodies
Prof. Kevin Mattinson Prof. Liam McGrath is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Birmingham City University and since joining the university in 2019 has supported the delivery of teacher education within the Secondary and Post-Compulsory Education and Training Department in the School of Education and Social Work. Liam was elected Chair of the Strategic Leadership Partnership Committee, making recommendations to the School of Education and Social Work for approval matters relating to the quality and standards of PCET awards
Prof. Liam McGrath Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Prof. Jeffrey Thompson Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Dr. Mary Hayden Prof. Sunitha Amencherla teaches and mentors teacher-learners across programmes. She has rich experience in K-12 education reform. She has architected reform at the grassroots level through advocacy, building and implementing strong technology-based curriculum, teacher training in ICT implementation, and skilling teachers in Assessment for Learning
Ms. Sunitha Amencherla Dr. Sumita Rao has 27 years of experience in K-12 Education and Teacher Education. During this period, she has been involved in K-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Teaching, and Teacher Training. She has organized and prepared several training modules and has led several workshops, training & capacity-building programs for School Teachers, Teacher Educators, and Teacher Trainees. She has 14 papers published in various journals. In ITARI she is instrumental in leading the Cambridge teacher professional development programmes. She is deeply invested in building reflective practitioners in the K-12 sector
Dr. Sumita Rao Dr. Anamika is a senior faculty teaching across programmes. As a leading researcher herself, she takes pride in guiding futuristic research practices. She is currently working on NEP 2020 implementation; Personalising Learning; and Teachers Partnering with Technology to Teach competencies to Children. She has experience in higher education including elementary and secondary school teacher education. She has published extensively on internationalisation of higher education, and human rights education. She is a recipient of Taiwan Government’s Scholarship for a Ph.D. in Education. Anamika was a visiting faculty at Uppsala University, and a Summer Intern at Georg Eckert Institute, Germany.
Dr. Anamika Dr. Priyank “Priyank has a multidisciplinary background of engineering, social work, counselling and education. He has worked with multiple national and international education organizations and consulted them on strategy, research, technology, pedagogy, etc. Priyank specializes in creating contextual educational experiences and is an advisor to several grassroot organizations including CITTA India and CoLab Global. He is a JRF Awardee and has both national and international publications to his name.”
Dr. Priyank Having 21 years of extensive experience in leadership roles in higher education institutions. Being an international speaker, panel moderator, researcher & academician, she received many prestigious accolades & awards in higher education. Teaching, research administration, consultation & marketing are Dr Madhur’s core areas. Associated with many institutions in the area of MDPs, FDPs, marketing, strategic planning & educational interventions. Published 26 International & UGC Research papers and 2 research books. Associated with 2 international journals as an editorial board member. She holds a Doctorate in education, M.Ed., M.B.A., M.A.(Psychology), M.A.(English), MDPs & B.El.Ed. from reputed institutions.
Dr. Madhur Gupta Dr. Simran Randhawa is one of the senior faculty members at ITARI. Her practice is informed by her experience spanning over 25 years, in the areas of k-12 education, as well as graduate and post graduate level teaching at university level. She specializes in Special education Needs (SEN) and Inclusive education and has a keen interest in the area of neuropedagogy . Her qualifications include M.Ed , Mphil , Ph.D and a PGDE-I from Birmingham City University .She is the recipient of a Fellowship award 2023, from the India vision Foundation for her research in the area of Autism.
Dr. Simran Randhawa Ms. Ramaa Muthukumaran teaches and mentors our MA.Ed as well as PGDE (I) cohorts. She has experience in education management and teacher education and brings with her unique capabilities from the space of Systems Thinking.
Ms. Ramaa Muthukumaran Dr Mathew Sinu Simon is a faculty member at the Indus Training and Research Institute (ITARI). Before joining the institute, he was an Assistant Professor at the School of Law, Presidency University, Bangalore. As an enthusiastic educator with a passion for teaching across disciplines in social science, he believes in carrying forward wisdom and knowledge to the next generation of avid learners. He was awarded doctorate in Political Science at the University of Hyderabad, Telangana. He was a researcher in Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. His research endeavours have focused on Indian foreign policy, national security, and geopolitics in today’s globalizing world. To be specific, his research interests gravitate towards examining the evolving nature of power dynamics and praxis of India-EU-China relations vis-à-vis the role of the United States in areas of geopolitics, technology, and society in the Indo-Pacific region. He aspires to contribute meaningful insights through rigorous academic research that addresses contemporary socio-economic challenges.
Dr Mathew Sinu Simon Dr. Pratima Sahu is one of the Senior Faculty member at ITARI, Bangalore. Exhibiting a strong academic background, she has held Assistant Professor, and Academic Counsellor positions at RIE (NCERT) in Bhopal, Vikram Dev University in Odisha, and IGNOU, Eastern Zone, India. Her research focuses on the psychosocial dimensions of learning and multilingual pedagogy. She holds a Doctorate in Education, M.Ed., B.Ed., M.A. Sociology, PGDGC, and PGDSRM from reputed universities in India.She specializes inCurriculum Development, Pedagogy of Social Science, Guidance and Counselling, Learning Assessment, Multilingual Pedagogy, and Sociology of Education. Notably, she served as a Research Associate on the “Swavalamban” project, which was financed by the British Council and the University of Manchester. Her involvement in significant initiatives outside of academia was demonstrated by this project, which sought to equip rural teaching communities for effective teaching through high-quality teacher training. Through her diverse experiences and expertise, she continues to contribute significantly to the field of education, striving to improve teaching and learning practices and promote inclusive education for all.
Dr.Pratima Sahu Ms. Sowmya Naidu works towards communicating and marketing the concept of ITARI. She enjoys connecting with educators across the world to spread 21st Century-relevant teacher education and research at ITARI. She comes up with several strategic ideas to build a strong community that is focused on innovating best practices in education. Sowmya has more than one decade’s experience in marketing education programmes. Her relentless drive to serve ITARI’s vision has often been a source of inspiration to her team.
Ms. Sowmya Naidu Sonali Malhotra is an accomplished professional in the field of Early Childhood Education, holding the prestigious role of Programme Lead, faculty trainer, and mentor within the Early Childhood Education Programme. Her expertise is primarily centred around the areas of play-based inquiry in inclusive classrooms, special needs education, scientific inquiry, and Social Emotional Learning. Her extensive knowledge is underpinned by practical experience gained from her exposure to Finnish teaching practices in Finland, coupled with her involvement in International Baccalaureate programmes. Sonali’s impressive portfolio includes a collection of published articles in renowned international journals, involvement in research projects, and the implementation of data-based experiments that significantly contribute to the progress of education. Her educational background is extensive, encompassing a liberal arts degree from Delhi University, as well as dual post-graduate qualifications: an MA. Ed in International Education from Birmingham City, UK, and a Cambridge International Diploma from Teacher Foundation, UK. Committed to lifelong learning, Sonali is committed to innovative teacher training and mentoring programs for aspiring educators.
Ms. Sonali Malhotra Ms. Uttama Singh is one of the senior staff of the Indus community. She is a passionate Early Childhood Educator who believes that the transformative power of play has a potential to create a better world. With over a decade of experience as an Early Years Educator and Coordinator, she has contributed her valuable insights into teaching young learners. She extends her knowledge and expertise to inspire fellow educators through training to embrace child-centric pedagogy and play-based research approach. Certified in Special Needs Education, she holds a Postgraduate and a dual degree in commerce and education and is dedicated to lifelong learning. As a member of ITARI ECE faculty, she focuses on teacher research and training to foster an environment where every learner thrives.
Ms. Uttama Singh Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan, Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Indus Training and Research Institute, has 11 years of experience in Early Childhood pedagogical leadership and in-service teacher training and insights from Finnish practices to her role. She is committed to equipping educators with innovative practices and pedagogical leadership to enhance the learning experiences through quality teacher education. She places a strong emphasis on research and teacher training, driven by her profound passion for fostering the growth and development of young minds. She achieves this by fostering collaboration and collective intelligence among future educators, thereby contributing to the field of early childhood education.
Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan As Associate Professor and the Quality Enhancement Lead for the School of Education and Social Work, Simon has held responsibility for all quality and compliance matters for programmes covering the initial training of teachers and social workers, cross-education professionals, and the continuing professional development of experienced practitioners in education-related fields. He is a member of the School Executive Group, playing a key strategic leadership role
Prof. Simon Spencer Dr. Tina Collins is the Senior Lecturer in Education, and she is currently leading the Masters in Education (taught) programme. Dr. Tina’s experience also includes teacher training. Being ITE Secondary Partnership Research Lead and Link Academic Tutor for the PGDE-I and MA programmes she works dedicatedly with the Indus Training and Research Institute in India (ITARI). She has also been the Subject Leader of an English department and Assistant Headteacher in two non-selective secondary schools within the South-East of England
Dr. Tina Collins Prof. Mary O’Connor is the BCU Course Lead for International Post Graduate Teacher Education Courses. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Since October 2021, Mary has worked as the Course Lead for the ITARI PGDE – I, and MA Education Courses, a role that involves managing, leading, and quality-assuring all ITARI Teacher Education Courses. Mary also leads the Coaching and Mentoring of master’s Level module for school-based mentors at BCU as well as teaching mathematics.
Prof. Mary O’Connor Clair Bowen works with MA.Ed. dissertation scholars to support and supervise them through all processes of preparing and writing the dissertation. She has 7 years of MA Tutor experience, specializing in MA Education. She is the Strand Lead for the MA Education International Students. She understands the complexities of meeting the demands of studying for an MA through a course based in England and she is able to offer all levels of support that is needed for the scholars to successfully complete their studies to their greatest potential.
Prof. Clair Bowen Prof. Bonser has worked at BCU since 2015 after working as a mathematics teacher in schools across the West Midlands. Her work is predominantly in mathematics teacher training across a variety of routes into the profession. She also works across different Masters programmes as a dissertation supervisor for final-year projects. Her main areas of interest lie in mathematics education and her main research area is into mathematical anxiety in school-aged children
Prof. Sarah Bonser Prof. Kevin Mattinson has worked at Birmingham City University (BCU) since February 2014. He has been the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health, Education, and Life sciences, Head of the School of Education, and Professor of Teacher Education. He came to BCU from the University of Keele, where he had been the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Partnerships) and Head of Teacher Education for several years. Kevin has sat on a number of advisory bodies
Prof. Kevin Mattinson Prof. Liam McGrath is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Birmingham City University and since joining the university in 2019 has supported the delivery of teacher education within the Secondary and Post-Compulsory Education and Training Department in the School of Education and Social Work. Liam was elected Chair of the Strategic Leadership Partnership Committee, making recommendations to the School of Education and Social Work for approval matters relating to the quality and standards of PCET awards
Prof. Liam McGrath Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Prof. Jeffrey Thompson Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Dr. Mary Hayden Prof. Sunitha Amencherla teaches and mentors teacher-learners across programmes. She has rich experience in K-12 education reform. She has architected reform at the grassroots level through advocacy, building and implementing strong technology-based curriculum, teacher training in ICT implementation, and skilling teachers in Assessment for Learning
Ms. Sunitha Amencherla Dr. Sumita Rao has 27 years of experience in K-12 Education and Teacher Education. During this period, she has been involved in K-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Teaching, and Teacher Training. She has organized and prepared several training modules and has led several workshops, training & capacity-building programs for School Teachers, Teacher Educators, and Teacher Trainees. She has 14 papers published in various journals. In ITARI she is instrumental in leading the Cambridge teacher professional development programmes. She is deeply invested in building reflective practitioners in the K-12 sector
Dr. Sumita Rao Dr. Anamika is a senior faculty teaching across programmes. As a leading researcher herself, she takes pride in guiding futuristic research practices. She is currently working on NEP 2020 implementation; Personalising Learning; and Teachers Partnering with Technology to Teach competencies to Children. She has experience in higher education including elementary and secondary school teacher education. She has published extensively on internationalisation of higher education, and human rights education. She is a recipient of Taiwan Government’s Scholarship for a Ph.D. in Education. Anamika was a visiting faculty at Uppsala University, and a Summer Intern at Georg Eckert Institute, Germany.
Dr. Anamika Dr. Priyank “Priyank has a multidisciplinary background of engineering, social work, counselling and education. He has worked with multiple national and international education organizations and consulted them on strategy, research, technology, pedagogy, etc. Priyank specializes in creating contextual educational experiences and is an advisor to several grassroot organizations including CITTA India and CoLab Global. He is a JRF Awardee and has both national and international publications to his name.”
Dr. Priyank Having 21 years of extensive experience in leadership roles in higher education institutions. Being an international speaker, panel moderator, researcher & academician, she received many prestigious accolades & awards in higher education. Teaching, research administration, consultation & marketing are Dr Madhur’s core areas. Associated with many institutions in the area of MDPs, FDPs, marketing, strategic planning & educational interventions. Published 26 International & UGC Research papers and 2 research books. Associated with 2 international journals as an editorial board member. She holds a Doctorate in education, M.Ed., M.B.A., M.A.(Psychology), M.A.(English), MDPs & B.El.Ed. from reputed institutions.
Dr. Madhur Gupta Dr Pooja Bahuguna, Faculty ITARI, is an expert of Early Literacy and Early Childhood Education . She has 12 years of research and teaching experience in this field, especially early reading, significance of reading comprehension and emergent literacy. She has worked extensively for capacity building of early years’ educators. She has worked closely with learners of kindergarten and early primary years. She has been part of various projects undertaken by Department of Elementary Education NCERT and Regional Resource Centre of Education (RRCEE) Delhi. She is also a core member of Literacy group functional in the Department of Education, University of Delhi.
Dr. Pooja Dr. Simran Randhawa is one of the senior faculty members at ITARI. Her practice is informed by her experience spanning over 25 years, in the areas of k-12 education, as well as graduate and post graduate level teaching at university level. She specializes in Special education Needs (SEN) and Inclusive education and has a keen interest in the area of neuropedagogy . Her qualifications include M.Ed , Mphil , Ph.D and a PGDE-I from Birmingham City University .She is the recipient of a Fellowship award 2023, from the India vision Foundation for her research in the area of Autism.
Dr. Simran Randhawa Ms. Sowmya Naidu works towards communicating and marketing the concept of ITARI. She enjoys connecting with educators across the world to spread 21st Century-relevant teacher education and research at ITARI. She comes up with several strategic ideas to build a strong community that is focused on innovating best practices in education. Sowmya has more than one decade’s experience in marketing education programmes. Her relentless drive to serve ITARI’s vision has often been a source of inspiration to her team.
Ms. Sowmya Naidu Sonali Malhotra is an accomplished professional in the field of Early Childhood Education, holding the prestigious role of Programme Lead, faculty trainer, and mentor within the Early Childhood Education Programme. Her expertise is primarily centred around the areas of play-based inquiry in inclusive classrooms, special needs education, scientific inquiry, and Social Emotional Learning. Her extensive knowledge is underpinned by practical experience gained from her exposure to Finnish teaching practices in Finland, coupled with her involvement in International Baccalaureate programmes. Sonali’s impressive portfolio includes a collection of published articles in renowned international journals, involvement in research projects, and the implementation of data-based experiments that significantly contribute to the progress of education. Her educational background is extensive, encompassing a liberal arts degree from Delhi University, as well as dual post-graduate qualifications: an MA. Ed in International Education from Birmingham City, UK, and a Cambridge International Diploma from Teacher Foundation, UK. Committed to lifelong learning, Sonali is committed to innovative teacher training and mentoring programs for aspiring educators.
Ms. Sonali Malhotra Ms. Uttama Singh is one of the senior staff of the Indus community. She is a passionate Early Childhood Educator who believes that the transformative power of play has a potential to create a better world. With over a decade of experience as an Early Years Educator and Coordinator, she has contributed her valuable insights into teaching young learners. She extends her knowledge and expertise to inspire fellow educators through training to embrace child-centric pedagogy and play-based research approach. Certified in Special Needs Education, she holds a Postgraduate and a dual degree in commerce and education and is dedicated to lifelong learning. As a member of ITARI ECE faculty, she focuses on teacher research and training to foster an environment where every learner thrives.
Ms. Uttama Singh Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan, Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Indus Training and Research Institute, has 11 years of experience in Early Childhood pedagogical leadership and in-service teacher training and insights from Finnish practices to her role. She is committed to equipping educators with innovative practices and pedagogical leadership to enhance the learning experiences through quality teacher education. She places a strong emphasis on research and teacher training, driven by her profound passion for fostering the growth and development of young minds. She achieves this by fostering collaboration and collective intelligence among future educators, thereby contributing to the field of early childhood education.
Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan As Associate Professor and the Quality Enhancement Lead for the School of Education and Social Work, Simon has held responsibility for all quality and compliance matters for programmes covering the initial training of teachers and social workers, cross-education professionals, and the continuing professional development of experienced practitioners in education-related fields. He is a member of the School Executive Group, playing a key strategic leadership role
Prof. Simon Spencer Dr. Tina Collins is the Senior Lecturer in Education, and she is currently leading the Masters in Education (taught) programme. Dr. Tina’s experience also includes teacher training. Being ITE Secondary Partnership Research Lead and Link Academic Tutor for the PGDE-I and MA programmes she works dedicatedly with the Indus Training and Research Institute in India (ITARI). She has also been the Subject Leader of an English department and Assistant Headteacher in two non-selective secondary schools within the South-East of England
Dr. Tina Collins Prof. Mary O’Connor is the BCU Course Lead for International Post Graduate Teacher Education Courses. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Since October 2021, Mary has worked as the Course Lead for the ITARI PGDE – I, and MA Education Courses, a role that involves managing, leading, and quality-assuring all ITARI Teacher Education Courses. Mary also leads the Coaching and Mentoring of master’s Level module for school-based mentors at BCU as well as teaching mathematics.
Prof. Mary O’Connor Clair Bowen works with MA.Ed. dissertation scholars to support and supervise them through all processes of preparing and writing the dissertation. She has 7 years of MA Tutor experience, specializing in MA Education. She is the Strand Lead for the MA Education International Students. She understands the complexities of meeting the demands of studying for an MA through a course based in England and she is able to offer all levels of support that is needed for the scholars to successfully complete their studies to their greatest potential.
Prof. Clair Bowen Prof. Bonser has worked at BCU since 2015 after working as a mathematics teacher in schools across the West Midlands. Her work is predominantly in mathematics teacher training across a variety of routes into the profession. She also works across different Masters programmes as a dissertation supervisor for final-year projects. Her main areas of interest lie in mathematics education and her main research area is into mathematical anxiety in school-aged children
Prof. Sarah Bonser Prof. Kevin Mattinson has worked at Birmingham City University (BCU) since February 2014. He has been the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health, Education, and Life sciences, Head of the School of Education, and Professor of Teacher Education. He came to BCU from the University of Keele, where he had been the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Partnerships) and Head of Teacher Education for several years. Kevin has sat on a number of advisory bodies
Prof. Kevin Mattinson Prof. Liam McGrath is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Birmingham City University and since joining the university in 2019 has supported the delivery of teacher education within the Secondary and Post-Compulsory Education and Training Department in the School of Education and Social Work. Liam was elected Chair of the Strategic Leadership Partnership Committee, making recommendations to the School of Education and Social Work for approval matters relating to the quality and standards of PCET awards
Prof. Liam McGrath Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Prof. Jeffrey Thompson Prof. Jeffrey Thompson is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Bath. Prof. Thompson is one of the founding members of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which was instituted in Geneva in 1968. He has worked closely for many years with IB curriculum, evaluation, and assessment systems, both nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the International Primary Years Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
Dr. Mary Hayden Prof. Sunitha Amencherla teaches and mentors teacher-learners across programmes. She has rich experience in K-12 education reform. She has architected reform at the grassroots level through advocacy, building and implementing strong technology-based curriculum, teacher training in ICT implementation, and skilling teachers in Assessment for Learning
Ms. Sunitha Amencherla Dr. Sumita Rao has 27 years of experience in K-12 Education and Teacher Education. During this period, she has been involved in K-12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Teaching, and Teacher Training. She has organized and prepared several training modules and has led several workshops, training & capacity-building programs for School Teachers, Teacher Educators, and Teacher Trainees. She has 14 papers published in various journals. In ITARI she is instrumental in leading the Cambridge teacher professional development programmes. She is deeply invested in building reflective practitioners in the K-12 sector
Dr. Sumita Rao Dr. Anamika is a senior faculty teaching across programmes. As a leading researcher herself, she takes pride in guiding futuristic research practices. She is currently working on NEP 2020 implementation; Personalising Learning; and Teachers Partnering with Technology to Teach competencies to Children. She has experience in higher education including elementary and secondary school teacher education. She has published extensively on internationalisation of higher education, and human rights education. She is a recipient of Taiwan Government’s Scholarship for a Ph.D. in Education. Anamika was a visiting faculty at Uppsala University, and a Summer Intern at Georg Eckert Institute, Germany.
Dr. Anamika Dr. Priyank “Priyank has a multidisciplinary background of engineering, social work, counselling and education. He has worked with multiple national and international education organizations and consulted them on strategy, research, technology, pedagogy, etc. Priyank specializes in creating contextual educational experiences and is an advisor to several grassroot organizations including CITTA India and CoLab Global. He is a JRF Awardee and has both national and international publications to his name.”
Dr. Priyank Having 21 years of extensive experience in leadership roles in higher education institutions. Being an international speaker, panel moderator, researcher & academician, she received many prestigious accolades & awards in higher education. Teaching, research administration, consultation & marketing are Dr Madhur’s core areas. Associated with many institutions in the area of MDPs, FDPs, marketing, strategic planning & educational interventions. Published 26 International & UGC Research papers and 2 research books. Associated with 2 international journals as an editorial board member. She holds a Doctorate in education, M.Ed., M.B.A., M.A.(Psychology), M.A.(English), MDPs & B.El.Ed. from reputed institutions.
Dr. Madhur Gupta Dr Pooja Bahuguna, Faculty ITARI, is an expert of Early Literacy and Early Childhood Education . She has 12 years of research and teaching experience in this field, especially early reading, significance of reading comprehension and emergent literacy. She has worked extensively for capacity building of early years’ educators. She has worked closely with learners of kindergarten and early primary years. She has been part of various projects undertaken by Department of Elementary Education NCERT and Regional Resource Centre of Education (RRCEE) Delhi. She is also a core member of Literacy group functional in the Department of Education, University of Delhi.
Dr. Pooja Dr. Simran Randhawa is one of the senior faculty members at ITARI. Her practice is informed by her experience spanning over 25 years, in the areas of k-12 education, as well as graduate and post graduate level teaching at university level. She specializes in Special education Needs (SEN) and Inclusive education and has a keen interest in the area of neuropedagogy . Her qualifications include M.Ed , Mphil , Ph.D and a PGDE-I from Birmingham City University .She is the recipient of a Fellowship award 2023, from the India vision Foundation for her research in the area of Autism.
Dr. Simran Randhawa Ms. Sowmya Naidu works towards communicating and marketing the concept of ITARI. She enjoys connecting with educators across the world to spread 21st Century-relevant teacher education and research at ITARI. She comes up with several strategic ideas to build a strong community that is focused on innovating best practices in education. Sowmya has more than one decade’s experience in marketing education programmes. Her relentless drive to serve ITARI’s vision has often been a source of inspiration to her team.
Ms. Sowmya Naidu Sonali Malhotra is an accomplished professional in the field of Early Childhood Education, holding the prestigious role of Programme Lead, faculty trainer, and mentor within the Early Childhood Education Programme. Her expertise is primarily centred around the areas of play-based inquiry in inclusive classrooms, special needs education, scientific inquiry, and Social Emotional Learning. Her extensive knowledge is underpinned by practical experience gained from her exposure to Finnish teaching practices in Finland, coupled with her involvement in International Baccalaureate programmes. Sonali’s impressive portfolio includes a collection of published articles in renowned international journals, involvement in research projects, and the implementation of data-based experiments that significantly contribute to the progress of education. Her educational background is extensive, encompassing a liberal arts degree from Delhi University, as well as dual post-graduate qualifications: an MA. Ed in International Education from Birmingham City, UK, and a Cambridge International Diploma from Teacher Foundation, UK. Committed to lifelong learning, Sonali is committed to innovative teacher training and mentoring programs for aspiring educators.
Ms. Sonali Malhotra Ms. Uttama Singh is one of the senior staff of the Indus community. She is a passionate Early Childhood Educator who believes that the transformative power of play has a potential to create a better world. With over a decade of experience as an Early Years Educator and Coordinator, she has contributed her valuable insights into teaching young learners. She extends her knowledge and expertise to inspire fellow educators through training to embrace child-centric pedagogy and play-based research approach. Certified in Special Needs Education, she holds a Postgraduate and a dual degree in commerce and education and is dedicated to lifelong learning. As a member of ITARI ECE faculty, she focuses on teacher research and training to foster an environment where every learner thrives.
Ms. Uttama Singh Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan, Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Indus Training and Research Institute, has 11 years of experience in Early Childhood pedagogical leadership and in-service teacher training and insights from Finnish practices to her role. She is committed to equipping educators with innovative practices and pedagogical leadership to enhance the learning experiences through quality teacher education. She places a strong emphasis on research and teacher training, driven by her profound passion for fostering the growth and development of young minds. She achieves this by fostering collaboration and collective intelligence among future educators, thereby contributing to the field of early childhood education.
Ms. Sasha Ann Kwan Ms. Nupur Gupta, associated with Indus since 2009, brings an impressive 18 years of experience in delivering various international curricula. Her academic excellence is highlighted by her achievement as a gold medallist in Mathematics, underlining her profound understanding and passion for the subject. Driven by a mission to demystify Mathematics and eliminate the common phobias surrounding it, Ms. Nupur has devoted her career to developing and implementing innovative teaching strategies. Before heading the Centre for Mathematical Studies in Exponential Leadership at ITARI, she headed the integrated curriculum for the 10X International School, created by Indus. She has played a key role in mentoring both students and teachers, fostering a new generation of educators to embrace innovative teaching methodologies.
Ms. Nupur Gupta
Ms. Pavithra Shri K, an esteemed Biology Educator and Researcher, has made significant contributions to ITARI’s research department through her pioneering research conducted during her M.Phil. She also collaborates with numerous NGOs, enriching them with extensive research knowledge and insights. Pavithra’s profound expertise in science and conservation introduces an innovative and vibrant approach to education. Her initiatives in educational awareness programs and mentoring students in wildlife conservation mark a significant departure from traditional educational methods.
Ms. Pavithra Shri K
Ms. Vidya Somnath brings a unique blend of industry expertise and academic achievement to ITARI’s R&D team. With a solid foundation in computer science engineering and five years of industry experience, she significantly enhances our research capabilities by bringing in diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary insights. Vidya’s academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Education – International from Birmingham City University and currently pursuing an MA in Education at the same institution. This combination of real-world experience and academic knowledge positions Vidya as a pivotal contributor to the research endeavours.
Ms. Vidya Somnath
Ms. Savitha Rao, serves as a dedicated research scholar at the Indus Training and Research Institute (ITARI). She comes with a rich educational background including a master’s degree in computer applications, an advanced-level linguistic certification in French, and extensive teaching experience across diverse curricula. Her educational journey further advanced upon completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Education International (PGDE(I)) at ITARI and currently pursuing an MA in Education at Birmingham City University. This path reflects her deep commitment to professional and personal growth, transitioning seamlessly into research with a focus on leveraging her interdisciplinary expertise to contribute to the evolving field of education.
Ms. Savitha Rao
Ms. Liz Joseph Ann, a postgraduate in Structural Engineering from the University of Manchester, has transitioned from her area of expertise to educational research, inspired by the Postgraduate Diploma in International Education (PGDE(i)) program offered by Birmingham City University at ITARI. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) from Birmingham City University and a Postgraduate Program in Early Childhood Education (PGP ECE) from the University of Helsinki, working towards shaping the future through her research at ITARI’s R&D.
Ms. Liz Joseph Ann
Our Graduates Around The World
Collaboration
Indus Training And Research Institute (ITARI) has entered into multiple international collaborations including exchange of distinguished faculty, research collaboration, development of academic materials, and co-offering of programmes.
University of Bath, UK, is ranked among the top five universities in the UK. UoB offers the prestigious MA in Education programme at ITARI study centre, Bangalore. The programme is a dual certification course with the possibility of earning the IB Educator and Advanced IB Educator Certificates from International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
ITARI is one of the largest Cambridge study centers in the country that offers the Cambridge Certificate and Diploma in Teaching and Learning. (CICTL & CIDTL). The Cambridge Professional Development Programmes are great opportunities for in-service teachers to become adept in student-centric approaches of teaching and learning and advanced tools and techniques of classroom assessments to create 21st century learners who are competent in critical thinking and collaboration.
University of Helsinki Centre for Continuing Education HY+, has been providing continuing education and development services for individuals and institutions in Finland and abroad for decades. HY+ and the faculties of the University of Helsinki collaborate in the fields of teacher training, pharmacy, food safety, environmental sciences, social sciences and medicine. The University of Helsinki Centre for Continuing Education HY+ Ltd is fully owned by the University of Helsinki.
Mr. Sushil Mantri, the Chairman & Managing Director of Mantri Developers Pvt. Ltd., is an outstanding personality in the world of realty, housing, and construction. He is a visionary with an astute and resolute sense of enterprise, who has transitioned from being an entrepreneur to an industry trendsetter. As the sole leader of his company, Mr. Mantri motivates and advises his committed team on all matters concerning governance, infrastructure, business development, and budgeting.
Mr. Sushil Mantri Trustee, Indus Trust