Asian College of Teachers - Board of Academics
Accomplished and experienced teaching professionals from diverse backgrounds comprises of members of Board of Academics at Asian College of Teachers. They have joined hands with ACT as Associate Academic Directors who not only lend their expertise in matters related to Academics but also ensure academic uprightness and excellence. The Board of Academics has been formed keeping parity with the institutional mission, and plays a significant role in bringing new developments in a range of ACT’s academic areas.
The Board of Academics at ACT always aim at maintaining highest quality of the content, structure and assessment of the courses of study and puts in their valuable advises in academic matters by embracing innovation and constant observation and monitoring.
Our Associate Academic Directors comprising of the Board of Academics are given below :
Dr Janat Blackmon
Director of Academics
Dr Janat Blackmon is an international educator, speaker, and trainer from Canada. She has a
doctorate in Education Leadership and has a wealth of knowledge in international training,
teaching, and culturally responsive leadership. She currently resides in Texas and works as an
IB Coordinator. She is a Certified Teacher in Canada, Thailand and Texas, a certified
Montessori Teacher, a Texas Certified Principal, a certified ICF coach, and a Google
Certified Educator. Janat has worked internationally for over 16 years as an administrator,
teacher, reading interventionist, and as a workshop presenter, keynote speaker, guest lecturer,
and trainer on leadership, differentiation, assessment, and worked with organizations in
developing democracy in education. She is working with challenging change in education for
our globalized society and working to develop education for the 21st century. She is
passionate about working with staff and students to help them develop their unique talents
and confidence to be leaders in society and work for justice and equity for all. She is
passionate about student agency, leadership, and working with healing trauma. Dr Janat
works for change in education so our children can be leaders in creating a society that values
diverse perspectives and who can communicate and collaborate to innovate.
Dr Margaret Davitt Maughan
Associate Director – Curriculum and Instructions
Dr Margaret Davitt Maughan is a Senior Educator with Ed.D. Leadership, from the University of San Francisco and 35 years of experience in classrooms, curriculum development and interdisciplinary studies. She has the expertise in instructional organization and the ability to make the subject useful. She has taught varied courses over the course of her long teaching career like Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Schools, Historical and Social Foundations, Educational Psychology for Secondary Teachers, Physical Education, Curriculum and Methods for Elementary Social Studies Teachers, Contemporary Educational Issues, Diversity in the Classroom, Ethics and Leadership, Philosophy of Education, Organizational Management.
As a teacher she has always put emphasis on student-centered learning and creative implementation of curriculum and methodology. With a deep understanding of current theory and practice, she has always been open to contemporary programs of revitalization in teaching. She has always been into facilitating quality teaching and has been conferred with several professional honors, scholarships and grants.
Dr Maughan has also been into academic research and her dissertation topic was "An investigation of the relationship between espoused values, shared assumptions, and specific demographic factors among faculty in selected secondary schools". She also has several professional presentations and publications to her credit.
Dr Kuldeep Agarwal
Associate Dean
Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal is a seasoned Educationist/Teacher Educator having 37 years of experience in the field of education – as Educator, Teacher Educator as well as Educational Administrator. He is a product of two premier institutions of India - the prestigious St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, where he studied English Literature and completed his B.A. (Hons.) English and M. A. English and the Department of Education, Delhi University (popularly known as CIE or Central Institute of Education), where he studied Education and did B.Ed., M.Ed., M.Phil. (Education) and Ph.D. (Education). He started his career as an English teacher in the well known Modern School of Delhi and later became a teacher educator and taught at CIE, Delhi University. He became Director (Academic & Open School), State Board of School Education Haryana, India where he established Haryana State Open School as a part of the Board. Finally, he retired as Director (Academic) from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) - an autonomous institute under the MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development), Govt. of India. Currently he is Member, Board of Studies, University School of Education, GGSIP University, Delhi, India and President, SPACE (Society for the Perpetuation of Art, Culture & Education) India.
He has authored/co-authored several books; presented papers at several national/international conferences; traveled widely to countries like Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai), USA, etc.; has been a Resource Person at several workshops for teacher development; worked closely with international organizations like COL (Commonwealth of Learning) Canada, UNESCO, UNDP, ITU, Amnesty International, etc.; Consultant/Resource Person with national organizations in India like NCERT, NCTE, IGNOU, CBSE, COBSE, NUEPA, etc. He has been a part of the highest policy making group in the country as Director (Academic), NIOS; delivered innumerable lectures/talks for teachers in many schools. He was a recipient of the prestigious Endeavour Executive Award of the Government of Australia in 2008.
He has expertise in various fields of Education like Teacher Education, Curriculum Development, Language Education/ELT, Educational Evaluation, Educational Technology, Environmental Education, Human Rights Education, Open & Distance Learning, Women's Studies, Value Education, Educational Policy/Administration/Management, ESD (Education for Sustainable Development), etc.
Ms. Kuhurina Basu
Associate Director - Board of Academics
Ms. Kuhurina Basu is a Master of Economics from Jadavpur University, Kolkata and Master of Human Development from SNDT University, Mumbai. She has an extensive teaching experience of 30 years and ten years of administrative experience in Mumbai, India and London, UK. She has been a Tutor ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) – East London Business College, London and Master Trainer – Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers. She also worked as a Teacher – English and Psychology in High Schools in London and a Mentor for DTLLS (Diploma in Lifelong learning Sector) students at London School of Management Education, London.
She has also mentored students for Model United Nations at Harvard University in Boston. She has also been associated with various esteemed institutions like K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering and Information Technology and Avalon Heights International School in Mumbai.
Dr Sanjib Chakraborty
Founder – Asian College of Teachers
Dr Sanjib Chakraborty (Neil) is a PhD in Management Science from University of Hertfordshire, UK with two Masters - in Education (M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction
Design) and in Business Administration. He is a Diploma holder in Learning & Development, CIPD, UK, a Certified L&D Practitioner from British Institute of Learning & Development, UK and a Certified Trainer from Singapore Institute of
Management, Singapore.
Dr Sanjib Chakraborty has been a lecturer at a University in Bangkok, Thailand and presently lectures at several international universities in Asia. He is an ardent facilitator and an avid traveler who has been to more than 40 countries conducting workshops and creating engaging learning experiences through custom-made professional courses.
Apart from facilitating high-end workshops and live online classes for noted global organizations and professionals hailing from different walks of life, Dr Sanjib has been instrumental in liaising with several international accrediting and awarding bodies in Europe, America and Asia to take teacher education to a whole new level, ensuring the academic integrity embraced within it.
As an academician, he is on a mission to increase access to teacher education to produce a workforce of well-trained and motivated teachers. He has taken a mission-oriented approach tackling the steepest challenges as he coordinates with global bodies like TESOL Canada, Training Qualifications UK, CPD Certification Service UK, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, World Certification institute, European International University to name a few to develop vital international links.
He has also been associated with several schools in Asia as a consultant lending his expertise and disseminating and sharing his best practices to present innovative ideas and solutions in an effective way. He has been serving as an advisor to learning institutions and is actively engaged in developing several school projects and working with accomplished school leaders.
Dr. N. Panchanatham
Associate Director
Dr. N. Panchanatham is the Vice- Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University in Chennai. He holds Ph.D. (HRM-OB-CB) and M.B.A. alongside LEAP (IIT-KGP & Cambridge, UK), MICI (USA), SME R&D (Israel), LMI (Hungary), MAFS (Netherlands), M. Com., M.Sc. (Zoology), M.Ed., M.A. (Psychology) and M.Sc. (Yoga). He has 33+ years of teaching and administrative experiences and he was associated with Annamalai University as a Registrar and HOD, Business Administration. He has received 47 National and International Awards including Lifetime Achievement Awards, Best Teacher and Best Researcher Awards. He has supervised 60 Ph.D. Scholars and 23 M.Phil. students.
Dr Panchanatham has been a Visiting Fellow at GSE, USA and Visiting Professor to the University of Cyprus, BBU, Cambodia, Vilnius University, Lithuania, Mindanao State University, Philippines, Southern Federal University, Russia, University of Brawijaya, Indonesia, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia and Visiting Faculty Training at NLC India Ltd. He has also been an Extraordinary Professor at North-West University (2014-17) in South Africa. He has 453 publications in journal and 75 books to his credit.
Dr Amrita Panda
Associate Director
Dr Amrita Panda is a Doctor of Philosophy, Experimental Cognitive Psychology & Rehabilitation, University of Calcutta and holds Master Degree in Experimental Psychology, University of Calcutta. She has also completed Certificate Course in Music Therapy, Chennai School of Music Therapy, India in association with IMC University of Applied Science, Krems, Austria and Certificate course on Applied Behavior Analysis, Geneva Centre for Autism, Toronto, Canada. She is presently the Founder & Managing Director of DeepRanjini Foundation, Kolkata and Founder and Joint Secretary of PARAMPARIK - The Tradition. She is the Head of Medical and Educational wing, engaged in psychological counseling of students and patients of PARAMPARIK - The Tradition. Previously she was the Program Head, Rehabilitation Psychologist, Pradip Centre for Autism Management; Faculty & Board Member: Advance Dance & Movement Therapy Course, Rhythmosaic Dance Therapy; Rehabilitation Psychologist at Sahayta Clinic, Kolkata and Consultant Psychologist, Shemford Futuristic International School, Burdwan, West Bengal. She has also volunteered as a teaching assistant in preliminary classes and vocational training in Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata. She has a wide range of publications to her credit and designed software programs for assessing different cognitive domains which are widely used for academic and research purposes in the Department of Psychology, Calcutta University, India. She has travelled extensively across the globe and participated in several international conferences.
Mr David Bourke
Associate Director - Academics
David is a fully qualified Secondary Teacher with over 25 years’ experience and holds Bachelor of Asian Studies, Graduate Diploma in Education, Graduate Certificate in Education (Special Needs), TESOL/TEFL Qualification. During his years of teaching, he has performed the role English, ESL, Special Needs teacher and Literacy coordinator both in Primary and Secondary Schooling. He has taught both in the Government and private systems in Australia and many countries including: Mexico, UAE, Saudi Arabia, East Africa, India, Vietnam and Spain.
David has experience in IEP’s, EAP’s, ascertaining students, assessing students’ academic abilities, coordinating a team of teacher aids, Guidance Officers, School Counsellor and outside agencies. He has taught English and English language for Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Adult Education in a College. He has performed the role as English Communication coordinator (an alternative to Senior English), Years 11 and 12 Legal studies, Intercultural Communication, Geography and History. Currently he is an English Language teacher in Spain for school students as well as Adults.
Dr Thomas James Miller
Associate Director
Dr Thomas James Miller is a passionate educator with 30+ years of experience at the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels. He has achieved exemplary success demonstrated in multicultural contexts gained from having worked on 5 continents. He has Doctorate of Philosophy in Education, Educational Administration, Theory and Policy Studies, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto (OISE/UT); Master of Education, Modern Language Centre, Curriculum, OISE/UT; Bachelor of Education: Intermediate/Senior Qualifications, York University and Honours, Bachelor of Arts: French and English, Glendon College, York University. He has taught and worked all over the world at: -
York Region District School Board, Canada as ESL, FSL, Classical and International Language Department Head
Ontario College of Teachers, Canada as Bilingual (English-French) Program Officer
Toronto French School, Canada as Principal, Senior School
Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), Canada as Coordinator, Postsecondary Education
United Nations Education, Science & Culture Organization (UNESCO), France & Chile as International Civil Servant, Section Head, Teachers & Cross-cutting Themes
Universidad SEK, Faculty of Education, Chile as Professor of English Language and Methodology
British International School Cairo, Egypt as Teacher of English, French and Special Education
Chengdu Foreign Language Schools, China as Principal
GEMS Education Foundation / MFI Education & Training Solutions, Uganda as Director of Education and Training
VINSCHOOL, Vietnam as Director of ESL
Mr. Mervin Strome
Associate Director – Counselling Courses
Mervin has a Master’s Degree in Counselling and worked as a counsellor in private practice and for professional counselling agencies. Mervin has taught for different colleges and has written accredited courses at these institutions. He has been working in education, counselling and psychology for over 30 years.
Ms. Ann Bale
Associate Director – Counselling Courses
Ann has a Master’s Degree in Psychology, a Diploma in Clinical and Pastoral Counselling, and has completed a year of psychotherapy training. She has worked as a counsellor in private practice, and has taught in schools and colleges (both online and in classroom settings.) In addition to this, she has written accredited certificate, diploma and degree courses in counselling and psychology, in the UK and in North America. Ann has been working in education, counselling and psychology for over 30 years.
Dr. Ranjini Krishnaswamy
Associate Director
Dr. Ranjini Krishnaswamy is an academician with over 4 decades in academia, having been involved at all levels: High School, Middle School, Higher Secondary and Teacher Training both ECCEd and B.Ed. She has received the National Award for Teachers/Principals from the government of India. She is also a recipient of the Jijamata Puraskar for women achievers. She has received the Bharat Vikas Parishad award for her contribution to education. She is currently the Director - Education for the Dosti Foundation, the only ICSE school in Mumbai where she was involved in setting it up right from the drawing board to the accreditation. She is associated very closely with Global Scholars - a distance Linked Educational Programme of the Bloomberg Philanthropies. She has been instrumental in setting up schools, designing school curricula and working with officials in the government departments in maintaining standards of effective schooling and has written books on environmental education, English language and poetry.
Dr Anita Jain
Associate Director
Dr Anita Jain, MBBS, MRCGP [INT] is a Family Physician and Lead Trainer, Heartbeats First Aid with special interest in child health and preventive medicine. She manages medical care for children at Salam Balak Trust shelters in Mumbai. Dr Anita is the founder and lead trainer of Heartbeats First Aid - an initiative to empower people in health and safety at schools, workplace and communities.
She is an expert speaker and has conducted several workshops at schools and medical conferences. She is a clinical editor with The British Medical Journal. She trained as a doctor at KEM Hospital in Mumbai and has done her Master's in Health Administration from the University of Michigan. Dr. Jain is certified as a first aid and emergency response professional with St. John’s Ambulance and BLS/ACLS certified with the American Heart Association. She is trained in mental health first aid with MHFA England.
Ms. Papiya Rozario
Associate Academic Director
Ms. Papiya Rozario, M Ed (Sp. Ed), MA, B Com, B Ed is a highly inspired primary and secondary school teacher with over 15 years’ experience in children’s education as well as with special needs children in international schools across the globe. She is currently working in Modern International School, Bangkok with a dual responsibility as the A-level (Sixth Form) coordinator and Head of the Languages Division (English and Foreign Languages) with an additional profile of Secondary SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). She will be joining the London Metropolitan University to pursue double master’s in Education Leadership and curriculum for accentuating her career in Education leadership and Curriculum management.
Mr Joseph David Thyparambil
Associate Director – UAE
Mr Joseph David Thyparambil (BA in Education with Certificate in Teaching English as Foreign Language TEFL) has been a passionate educator whose teaching journey has been very fulfilling as it took him to many different countries where he shared and disseminated knowledge extending learning and exploring more. Presently based in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates as a Chief Academic Officer with Creative Educational Services. He has had an extensive experience as a teaching professional within Academia in not only teaching but administration, researching, designing curriculum, liaising and coordinating teachers training and administrative training, conducting numerous workshops and being involved in several P R activities. He has also been the recipient of Best Principal’s Award, 2014, endowed by Students Development Society, India and is on the Advisory Board of Global Aero Sports and STEM Trainers.
Dr Atreyi Datta
Academic Associate - SEN Courses
Dr Atreyi Datta is a PhD holder in Psychology (Cal) and has also completed Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology (RCI). She is attached as a Consulting Psychologist with the training unit of a Special School in Kolkata. Her forte lies in psychological assessment and counseling clients suffering from varied psychological problems and learning disabilities.
Ms. Suparna Ghosh
Academic Associate - Counselling Courses
Ms. Suparna Ghosh, MSc Psychology, is keenly interested in studying the workings of the human mind and has more than 20 years of experience in teaching and counselling. She is appreciated for her therapy sessions with adolescents and life coaching sessions with adults. She also holds workshops on different relevant modern day issues in schools as well as corporate organisations. Her clients are from different walks of life & works with other trainers as well to facilitate them with psychological inputs and interpretations. Some of the institutions she was associated with were Garden High School, Kolkata; Marble Arch School, Mumbai; Jankidevi Public School, Mumbai. She is also an in house psychologist and consultant for Yashashwini Films, Mumbai for holding regular motivational workshops for their actors.
Ms. Moumita Ganguly
Academic Associate - Counselling Courses
Moumita Ganguly has graduated with Psychology Honours and has a Masters in Clinical Psychology. She has also pursued BEd in special education, Post Graduate Diploma in Performing Arts Therapy. In addition to that, she has also done an advanced course in graphology and RCI recognised course of FCED,and is working in the field of psychological counseling for 5 years. In her journey of pursuing this noble profession she has given her utmost dedication in upgrading herself with each passing year and has always maintained a healthy relation with all her clients including the special children she has treated. She believes in giving each individual a bit of relief through her dedicated efforts she puts in her counselling.
Dr Mala (Dasgupta) Sengupta
Associate Director – Teaching and Development
Dr Mala (Dasgupta) Sengupta has worked as a teacher and examiner for 25 years with a commitment to high quality teaching and pedagogical practices. Over the years, she has served as an English teacher (classes VII to XII) and eventually as the Head of the Department of English as well as the Controller of Examination with an ICSE/ISC school and as an examiner with several professional institutions like SUMMIT and PATHFINDER and Engineering College under WBUT. She is also proficient in designing curriculum, developing study material, students’ time table, teachers’ timetable, conducting exams, counselling students, parents, teachers, conducting workshops and training teachers.
Ms. Radhika Ramamoorthy
Associate Director – E-Learning Technology
Ms. Radhika Ramamoorthy who has a Masters in English Literature with B.Ed in English and Social Studies and P G Diploma in TEFL/TESOL, has been a dedicated educator for 25 years with teaching experience in CBSE, ICSE and IGCSE schools. Besides being a teacher, she has also been a college lecturer and an able administrator, heading a reputed school in Mumbai for 7 years.She is also adept at conducting workshops on topics like Classroom Management,Value based education, Interactive approach to teaching of English, Teacher Development Programme and E-Learning for Continuous Education.
Ms. Anita Khanna
Associate Director – Curriculum Design and Content Management
Ms. Anita Khanna who has completed her Post Graduation from Delhi University and MEd from Vinayak University, has been a successful educator with an extensive experience of more than 30 years which started with teaching at the pre and primary level. She has prepared and delivered lessons to a range of classes of different ages and capacities with effective classroom management abilities up her sleeve. She eventually switched over to educational administration and had been associated with different schools of repute as a Principal. She has always been passionate about teaching and presently enjoying her stint as a Principal effectively spearheading the administration of L.R College of Advance Studies in Delhi.
