Our Board of Directors

Former Federal Secretary (PAS), Government of Pakistan. Possesses varied and extensive experience in public sector management at strategic, operational, and tactical levels across all tiers of government. As Federal Secretary, Capital Administration & Development (Education), led a team of educationists and practitioners, developing a vision and formulating policy guidelines and plans to provide students with an enriched learning experience, fostering holistic development, and ensuring quality education for every child, regardless of their background. Promoted public-private partnerships as a means of improving the quality and efficiency of government schools at all levels. Launched skill development programs, empowering youth with in-demand skills, boosting employability, and fostering entrepreneurship.
As DCO Rawalpindi, executed and monitored adult literacy and teacher training programs in partnership with UNESCO and implemented the Education Sector Reform Program in the Government of Punjab in collaboration with the World Bank.
Has held important and senior positions in the public sector, including National Coordinator NACTA, Secretary/Additional Secretary in Local Government, Interior, Water & Power, and Food Security, Chairman NHA, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and Deputy Commissioner in three districts.
He is widely traveled and has attended numerous international conferences and seminars as a representative of the Government of Pakistan.

Mr. Shahid Iqbal is retired Vice Admiral from Pakistan Navy. Mr. Iqbal is an operations specialist and holds Principal Warfare Officer Specialization from School of Maritime Operations, UK. He is a graduate of Pakistan Navy and Turkish Staff Colleges and holds Master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from National Defense University, Islamabad. He has rich experience of various command and staff appointment during his Naval career. Moreover, he has also served as Rector Bahria University. He acted as faculty member at PN War College and National Defense University. He has also served as Commander Task Force-150 (Multinational Naval Force) at Bahrain. Vice Admiral (R) Shahid Iqbal is recipient of prestigious National award of Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military).

Ms. Umbreen Arif has more than 20 years of experience in the education sector, providing policy advice, technical and analytical support, program supervision, and coordination with donor and government partners in Pakistan. She has led the design and supervision of education reform programs, as well as multi-sector programs addressing education, health, nutrition, governance, and disaster risk preparedness across Pakistan. Her main area of interest and expertise is Education Policy and Governance, Education Data, Early Childhood Education, and Teacher Management. She has worked on a diverse set of programs across basic and higher education, including implementing education in emergency situations (conflict and natural disasters). She has cross-country experience in providing support to education programs in Africa, India, and Afghanistan.
During COVID-19, she led the creation of digital learning opportunities for students during school closure. These included a Tele-school, E-Taleem Digital Portal, and Radio School initiative. She led the development of programs to address learning gaps and education in lagging districts for the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry was able to secure donor support for the initiatives that will target out-of-school children using digital solutions.