Office Bearers
Farhat Mansoob has done her Master’s in International Educational Development (with concentration in Peace and Human Rights Education) from Columbia University, NY, USA. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum Planning, with special reference to the production of textbooks and reading material for primary and secondary levels, she has closely observed Curriculum setting and instruction in the USA. Farhat has extensive experience as a teacher and principal of renowned schools in Pakistan. She has conducted numerous training workshops for school teachers and has served as a senior consultant for primary education in Sindh for UNICEF. She has also studied Environmental Education in the UK.
Abida Memon graduate of Commerce and Law from Saint Patrick College and S.M. Law Sollege is a granddaughter of business tycoons Jusab Moosa Jusabani of Zanzibar, East Africa & Ismail Pandrowala of Mumbai, whose countless contributions are mentionable for the Cutchi Memon Community.
She always contested elections in schools and colleges and joined as an officer of Sindh Government in 1981 and remained in Sindh Small Industries Corporation, Ministry of Social Welfare, Minority Affair Department, Health Department Coastal Development Authority and lastly as Director (Admin & Finance) Sindh Environmental Protection Agency during which she had many opportunities of trainings and attended workshops on different issues, bearing Certificate and Awards. She had chances to be motivational speaker on occasions where she has been honored as Chief Guest, Guest of honor. She along with her job also adopted her family nature of social services and occupied various offices in numerous NGOs and Cutchi Memon Student Federation, United Memon Women Organization, Mehman Graduates Association, Sindh Rural Women Association, Pakistan Women Lawyers Association, Pakistan Business and Professional Women South, Women Development Foundation, Cutchi Memon Thinkers Forum, All Pakistan Women Association, and Al-Umeed Rehabilitation Association.
She has also been recognized by Pakistan Railway, Association of Deaf and Dumb, Mehran International Press, Memon League, Catholic Association, World Biographical Society, All Pakistan Memon Federation, Pakistan Memon Welfare and Educational Society, Cutchi Memon Markazi Jamat and World Memon Organization.
Prof. Dr. Salma Durrani got her MSc. from the University of Jamshoro, then her MS and Ph.D. from BGSU, Bowling Green, Ohio, with a full Bright Hay Scholarship for 5 years. She also did postdoctoral research at the University of Nottingham, U.K., financed by WHO for 4 years. After doing this, she took the British Council summer scholarship at Nottingham University, U.K.
In her professional career, she started as a lecturer and became a 20-grade professor at Jamshoro, then was the dean of science at DHA Degree College till 2004; later, she was at Federal Urdu University, Karachi, in the environmental department for two years. After this, she was the Director of Advanced Studies and Research at Sardar Bahadur Women’s University in Quetta. She was the first to establish the Environmental Science Department. After this, she was the director of advanced studies from 2009 until 2015. She was the founder of the Environmental Science Department and Chairperson at Karakorum International University (GILGIT). She has also done part-time teaching at various universities in Karachi from 2015 until 2022: SZABIST, Dadabhoy University, Sindh Jinnah Medical University, and Hamdard University.
Dr. Shiraz Fazal Dad is a literature, International Islamic University, Islamabad and Assistant Professor in International Islamic University.
Dr. Sairah Alvi, a 2018 graduate of the London School of Economics has achieved monumental acclaim in the fast paced world of entrepreneurship. Only one day after completing her dissertation for her Masters in Economics program, she has founded her own company, Precision Diagnostic Laboratory services (PDL). In order to support healthcare professionals and patients residing in emerging markets, PDL provides cost effective global access to genomic and molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, and education in personalized medicine. Next Generation healthcare testing utilizes newer technologies to provide the highest level of effective medical diagnostics. Dr. Alvi wished to provide this state of the art genomic testing and analytics to those countries previously marginalized by poor medical access. It is with a great deal of pride that she has chosen to launch her first business venture in her native country of Pakistan.
Dr. Alvi has always enjoyed traveling to foreign shores and has cultivated an international interest and perspective. In fact, prior to completing her degree at the London School of Economics, Dr. Alvi distinguished education had already spanned three continents. Her impressive credentials include:
- Masters of Science in Applied Biology (Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan)
- Specialist Immunology (University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA)
- D specializing in Mematological Malignancies (Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center and RUSH University Cancer Center, Chicago, Ill USA, and Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan)
- Post Doctoral Fellow work in Molecular Immunology (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
- Specialist Scientist (Department of Human Genetics, School of Pathology), The South African Institute for Medical Research, University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr. Alvi’s specialty in oncology research and development found its home on American soil. Her professional endeavors include: Senior Scientist, Laboratory Manager, Director Scientific Affairs, Director Scientific and Medical Affairs and finally Consultant Global Medical Affairs of paramount importance throughout her career was the desire to initiate and establish close relationships with leaders in global medical development. It was this desire that spawned the inspiration to create her own business that would bring state of the art genomic and molecular diagnostics specifically in the area of cancer prevention
The London School of Economics played an integral role in Dr. Alvi’s decision toward entrepreneurship. At LSE each module provided the skills and tools needed to understand how successful business is conducted. She learned the value of her personal vision and the dedication, energy, and resources it would take to succeed. Studies on the importance of a written business plan developed her skills in product research, organizational structure and management strategies. Later, marketing took center stage with a keen eye toward growth projections and financial stability. Each course seemed to energize her vision toward becoming a reality.
An essential element for any entrepreneur is the ability to identify a need in society that a product or service can fill. This important need forms the basis of Dr. Alvi’s thesis, Comparing The Future of Precision Medicine in Emerging Markets. During her LSE research, Dr. Alvi quickly identified a need – a severe lack of medical access in emerging markets. Her answer was to be the first entrant into the Pakistan market to deliver genomic medical diagnostics. Without even a prior footprint to follow, Dr. Alvi has led the way toward the future of medicine for others to follow.
With an eye to the future and expansion, Dr. Alvi’s hope that the company she has founded, PDL, will provide equal access to state of the art medical diagnostics not only to Pakistan but to other countries in the future. However, her outreach does not end there. Her future plans include the installation of the Women’s Health Initiative. This unique service will provide education on health and cancer prevention with a special concentration on the unique needs of woman.
Currently, Dr. Alvi’s attention is focused on growing and securing the stabililty of PDL during this first, crucial year. Her efforts include consulting with her board members, working to increase her client base, and endlessly directing her attention to the minor details that could otherwise become dangerously profound. Additionally, as an international service provider she is ever vigilant of the changing political climates that affect the commercial world. While only in business a few months, she is in the process of securing and reviewing contracts from the most prestigious of partners – further evidence of Dr. Alvi’s successful business acumen. Due to her intense energy and focus, she continues to successfully initiate and establish new relationships with those entities and individuals who share her dream as well. Together, new and more equitable frontiers in medical diagnostic access for cancer patients can, at last, be realized.
Dr. Alvi resides in the United States with her husband, Dr. Borok, The Chairman of Pathology at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. Together, they have raised three children in a culturally diverse family, celebrating the differences.
Dr. Saira Bano is a multitalented woman with experience in hosting programs, being a moderator of live shows, and serving as a consultant medical practitioner for more than 33 years.
She is presently serving as a vice president of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Graduate Women International – SAARCGWI, member of the Projects Development Committee at Graduate Women International (GWI) in Geneva, Switzerland, CIR of Pakistan Federation of University Women (PFUW), a patron member of Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD), Vice President of Pakistan Professional’s Hijamah Society (Women Wing-Sindh), Member – Women Wing, Consumer Association of Pakistan, Member – Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and the Executive Member and Program Head of Memon News Foundation.
She is also a moderator of the famous live show “Health Hour” at Sindh Police FM 88.6, hosted the famous show “Dr. 101” at FM 101, where more than 80 episodes were broadcast, and hosted “Prime Time” at FM 93 from Radio Pakistan Karachi, as well as YouTube and TV channels. She is also on the advisory board of Help International Welfare Trust and served as a trustee there.
She has vast experience in creating mass awareness about the significance of Information Technology through seminars, career guidance, and counseling, and has done consulting in more than 100 schools all over Pakistan, particularly in rural areas. Supervised IT Placement Services with Special Emphasis on Scholarships, Mostly for Women and Special Persons
She has many honors with her name, like:
- Produced a stage play on Breast Cancer in Liaquat National Hospital on the eve of Breast Cancer Day.
- Wrote many articles, research reports, editorials, and stories, particularly on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), for leading country newspapers, journals, magazines, and so on.
She has received numerous awards in recognition of her excellent performance, including:
- Liaquat National Hospital recognized for producing a stage play about breast cancer on the eve of World Breast Cancer Day.
- The 21st Century Business & Economic Club Women Forum honored her for her contributions to building successful lives and empowering women in Pakistan’s professional arena, among other things.
She has done her Masters in Political Science at the University of Karachi in 2001, Certified Cupping Therapist from D.H.M.S. (Diploma in Homoeopathic Medical Science) from Central Homoeopathic Medical College, Karachi in 1992. She is fluent in several languages, including Urdu, English, Sindhi, and Memoni.
Fazla Shamim completed a master’s degree from Karachi University (KU). She completed many teaching courses at prominent institutions. She completed many vocational training programmes successfully. She served as principal of Sarfraz Pilot High School. She also worked as a teacher at ABSA School and ABSA College, both. She also worked as a researcher of sign language at ABSA for 16 years, i.e., from 1987 to 2003. She also worked as a spokesperson, sign language researcher, and event organizer with the Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) for the past 20 years. She also served as an international sign language interpreter in association with PAD. She also worked with UNICEF to develop a curriculum for the deaf. She also taught sign language in various renowned schools, including the Federal Government School, DEWA, the Islamic School, and the Ida Rieu College for the Blind and Deaf, as well as to individuals free of charge. She also contributed to the effort to put together sign language books.
Aiza Zubair Siddiqui is a recent graduate of LUMS majoring in Political Sciences with a passion for sustainability and activism.