About Global Gyaan Academy

Education as human development, not a transcript.

A flagship initiative of UZAK Charitable Trust (R), building a connected ecosystem for teachers, students, parents and institutions across India and beyond.

Years of work

22+

Indian states

Countries

150+

Institutions

Our Story

Founded in the gaps the pandemic made impossible to ignore.

Global Gyaan Academy was created in 2020, after a period in which the shortcomings of conventional schooling became plain: mental health went unsupported, teachers were asked to counsel students they had never been trained to counsel, career guidance disappeared, and parents were left outside the process entirely.

Rather than address one of those gaps, the Academy was built to hold all of them together. Professional teacher development, counselling education, leadership training, mentorship, research, international collaboration, educational awards and community outreach operate as a single connected programme — because in practice a student’s difficulties rarely belong to only one of those categories.

Today the Academy works with schools, colleges, universities, NGOs, government bodies and corporate partners across twenty-two Indian states, with chapters in France, the United Kingdom, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

See the programmes Work with us

Educators seated at a Global Gyaan Academy gathering

Impact Since 2020

Enriching minds. Connecting globally.

The Academy measures itself by the people its programmes reach, and publishes those figures openly.

2,000+

Teachers recognised

15,000+

Teachers trained

75,000+

Students benefited

20,000+

Parents reached

35+

Universities & colleges

500+

DTC graduates

500+

Mentorship fellows

100+

Global resource persons

Our Journey

Six years, year by year

2020

Global Gyaan Academy is founded

Established under UZAK Charitable Trust (R) during the COVID-19 period, in response to gaps in mental-health support, teacher preparedness and parental engagement.

2021

Teacher development begins

The first structured training initiatives launch, laying the groundwork for what becomes the Diploma in Teachers Counselling.

2022

The Teachers Award goes national

What began as a regional ceremony expands across Indian states, drawing nominations from schools, colleges and universities.

2023

Partnerships and mentorship

National institutional partnerships are signed and the GGA Mentorship Program formalises its student fellowship.

2024

Digital learning and global collaboration

Hybrid delivery, AI-awareness curricula and the first international chapters extend the Academy's reach beyond India.

2025

The Global Resource Persons Bank

An invitation-only expert network launches, selecting only five resource persons per thematic area worldwide.

2026

Seventh edition and the Malaysia conference

The 7th International Global Best Teachers Award opens alongside an international education conference and call for papers.

Vision

A world where quality education crosses every geographic, social and economic border.

To transform the global educational ecosystem by empowering educators, learners, institutions and communities through accessible education, professional recognition, counselling, leadership development, innovation and international collaboration — creating lifelong learners and globally responsible citizens.

Mission

01Empower teachers through professional development, counselling education, certification and international recognition.
02Support students with career guidance, mentorship, scholarships, leadership programmes and life-skills education.
03Equip parents with awareness, counselling and parenting education.
04Build partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, NGOs, governments and corporate organisations.
05Promote educational research, innovation and evidence-based practice.
06Develop future educational leaders through mentorship, fellowships and internships.

Core Values

What holds the programmes together

Excellence

The highest standards in education, professional development, leadership and service.

Integrity

Honesty, transparency and accountability in every programme and partnership.

Innovation

Creative thinking, educational research and genuine digital transformation.

Inclusivity

Equal opportunity regardless of geography, language, culture or background.

Collaboration

Partnership with institutions, governments, NGOs and international organisations.

Lifelong learning

Continuous growth for teachers, students and educational leaders alike.

Leadership

Developing visionary educators and changemakers who inspire transformation.

Service to society

Education as an instrument of social development and nation-building.

Managing Director

Dr. Ruksana Hassan

An educationist and advocate for emotional wellness in schools, Dr. Hassan leads the Academy’s effort to reframe teaching as a role that carries counselling responsibility — and to give teachers the training that responsibility requires.

Her work shaped the Diploma in Teachers Counselling, the Global Mentorship Program and the international teacher-recognition initiatives that have since honoured more than two thousand educators.

A teacher who can recognise what a student is carrying will always reach further than one who can only mark what a student produces.
The case for counselling education

Advisory Board

Direction from academicians, administrators and public leaders

The board guides strategic planning, academic quality and governance across the Academy's programmes.

Dr. P. P. Devan

ENT Surgeon & Academic Advisor

Veteran ENT specialist in Mangaluru with over 40 years in practice and education; formerly Professor of ENT at A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences.

Prof. Vinitha Rai

Social Work & Community Leadership

Retired Associate Professor and Registrar (Evaluation) at Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work; POSH Act Local Committee member and martial arts trainer.

N. V. Paulose

Chairman, Global TV

Media professional, author and mentor of 30 years; an early pioneer of online television in India and author of ten books.

Dr. Anis Ahmad

Educationist & Academic Leader

Four decades in teaching and educational administration across India and the Gulf; former Director/Principal in Kuwait and a Founder Principal.

Dr. Pasupuleti Sankaraiah

Journalist & Special Judicial Magistrate

Journalist, educator and cultural leader from Kadapa; a United A.P. State First Best Journalist Awardee and recipient of the Andhra Ratna Award.

Core Team

The people running the work day to day

Abbas Khan

Chairman

President of UZAK Charitable Trust. A retired government servant with nearly 40 years of public service, he sets strategic direction and upholds transparent, inclusive governance.

Noor Gousia Safdari

Secretary

A pharmacist by profession, bringing healthcare expertise to organisational governance, partnerships, programme administration and compliance.

Mateen Qhadir Azizi, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Over 20 years in marketing leadership and strategic financial management, ensuring sound financial governance and effective use of resources.

Brand Ambassadors

Representation across India and beyond

Ambassadors carry the Academy's work into their states and countries — leading outreach, institutional collaboration and membership growth.

Dr. D. J. Samatha Naidu

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

South India Regional Head. An academician and researcher of 22 years in Computer Science, with 250+ published papers, 15 textbooks, multiple patents and national and international awards.

Dr Oommen Mammen

Kerala

Management educator and mentor of 42 years in higher education and corporate leadership. A Ph.D. from Utrecht University, he has led institutions and promoted international collaboration and faculty development.

Dr. P. Palpandi

Tamil Nadu

Assistant Professor of Political Science and NSS leader. A researcher and speaker at national and international conferences, with five publications and 25 awards for his contribution to education.

Janaka Nandhini Iyengar

West Bengal

School leader and AI & EdTech innovator of 20 years. As Principal and Founder Headmistress she has established and led schools, integrating AI and STEM to lift learning outcomes.

Dr. C. H. Raja Kamal

Karnataka

Associate Professor at Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University) with 17 years of teaching. A Ph.D. in Management Studies, with expertise in human resources, business analytics and academic mentoring.

Dr. Mohammed Osama

Odisha

International Resource Person and Global Speaker with the School and Mass Education Department, Odisha. Recognised at state, national and international level for ICT-based English teaching in rural schools.

Mrs. Sadhana Karthikeyan

Malaysia

Principal of Vikas International School, Malaysia. An education leader across curriculum development, student engagement and school governance, she has implemented Cambridge IGCSE, strengthened international partnerships and been recognised repeatedly for her contribution to education.

Associate Brand Ambassadors

Educators carrying the work into their states

Prof. (Dr.) Monika Mehrotra

Uttar Pradesh

Professor at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University with 21 years of teaching. Works across economics, management, sustainability and women's empowerment, and has guided doctoral scholars and authored books.

K. Sharda

Chhattisgarh

A government school teacher from Khedamara, Durg. Recipient of the National Teacher Award 2024 from the President of India and the State Teacher Award 2023, and twice honoured by the Governor of Chhattisgarh.

Regional Heads & Project Directors

Leadership on the ground

Regional heads run state operations, institutional collaboration and outreach in their territories.

Noushin Banu

Regional Head — Karnataka

An educator of 14 years focused on resilience, confidence and life skills, and on values-based leadership in the classroom.

Dr. T. Rajeetha

Regional Head — Tamil Nadu

Assistant Professor of English with 12 years in teaching and research; author and Best Motivational Teacher Award recipient.

Dr. Babu Pandipati

Regional Head — Andhra Pradesh

Dean Academics and Professor at Geethanjali Institute of Science and Technology, specialising in AI, machine learning and data science.

Dr. A. S. Kalyana Kumar

Regional Head — Telangana

Academician at the Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad, across cyber security, data science, IoT and blockchain.

Fareeda Banu

State Project Director — Karnataka

Educator of 13 years and DTC 2024 graduate, currently Coordinator at Thaqwa Public School, Mangalore.

Poornima Chandrasekaran

State Head — Malaysia

A Montessori-trained educator and phonics tutor working in early literacy, reading, grammar and creative writing. She holds a Montessori Diploma from Modern Montessori International, London, with certifications in Jolly Phonics, Jolly Grammar and Smart Reader.

International Chapters

A network beyond India

Country chapters foster academic collaboration, cultural exchange and educational partnership beyond India.

United Kingdom

Ayesha Faiza

Educator at Bloxham Grove Academy supporting children with special educational needs, with experience across India and the UK.

Kuwait

Varsha N. K.

Educator, poet and Head of Department; writes poetry and Nukkad Natak scripts that carry literature and culture into classrooms.

United Arab Emirates

Nasreen Ahmed Bava

Founder & CEO of InfoSkills and Camp Director of INFINIA Camps, working in leadership and future-ready skills across the UAE and GCC.

France

Balasubramaniam

UN Volunteer in India, Director at Turn Right Human Relations, and Director (Operations) at The Imperial Institute, Kuwait.