Pakistan Learning Festival

Influencers and Storytellers

Dr. Uzma Niaz

Dr. Uzma Niaz is Pakistan’s first virtual storyteller, reading aloud stories in English and Urdu live and for free on her Facebook Page ‘Stories with Uzma’ and sharing tips & suggestions on literacy, language and learning on her Instagram: storieswithuzmaniaz. Engaging children in listening to stories from the day they’re born is an evidence-backed, interactive & meaningful way of helping children develop linguistic, comprehension and speaking skills. She is a veteran English Language & Literature Teacher, specialising in middle school to O Level preparation. She is currently tutoring students online and would love to hear from you if you’re looking for support. Contact her via Facebook or Instagram.

Tashina Nur

Tashina NurTashina Nur aka Aunty Tashi: Tashina Rashid Nur is certified AMI Montessori Directress with teaching experience in various schools. She hold great interest in storytelling. She is passionate about teaching, education and child development.

Dr Shelina Bhamani

Dr Shelina Bhamani Dr Shelina Bhamani holds a PhD in Education with specialization in Early childhood development and Program monitoring.   She is a die hard ECD enthusiast and influencer of playful, responsive and pragmatic caregiving in early years of life. She runs an independent facebook group “Early Childhood Matters” https://www.facebook.com/groups/ecmatters/ with an extension of YouTube channel SB Teaching https://youtube.com/channel/UCjtrlFR5wygGs9v2zQ0u32w. Currently she is associated with The Aga Khan University in capacity of Asst Professor, Research and Lead Parenting Education Program. She has worked in various national and international organizations like AKF, USAID, AKESP, HANDS, and Aman Foundation. She additionally has more than 8 years of teaching at different universities IoBM, SZABIST, and Greenwich. Dr Bhamani has published nationally and internationally to advocate to education and development and is a die hard early childhood enthusiast. Her areas of research interest include, stakeholder engagement in holistic development and education in inequities.

Marzieh Abbas

Maria Riaz Marzieh Abbas Marzieh Abbas is a children’s book author. She is a graduate of the Children’s Book Academy, and a member of the SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). She runs a kidlit review group on Facebook- Children’s Book Reviews (CBR Pakistan Global) and blogs about her author journey. Her books include Hamza’s Pyjama Promise, Hamza and Aliya share the Ramadan Cheer, and ABCs of Pakistan. https://www.facebook.com/studioc.upcake.3

Maria Riaz

Maria Riaz Maria Riaz, CEO WHY Books, author and illustration artist of “Our Superhero Edhi Baba”. She is an NCA graduate, USAID alumni and has extensive teaching and training experience in PIFD and TEVTA . Maria has been working as a CG artist with companies as well as independently. She aims to promote a positive image of Pakistan and support NGOs by publishing, writing and illustrating children’s books about our own personalities, places, culture and more.

Atif Badar

Atif Badar Atif Badar is an extremely versatile artist. He has worked extensively on stage, done various voice-overs, acted on mini screen and made his way on the big screen through Ramchand Pakistani. He started his career in 1993 with Tehrik-e-Niswan as a theatre actor. He also worked with Katha theatre group. Currently he is working as a theatre and creative movement teacher, writer and director in three well reputed educational institutes in Karachi. He also conducted two theatre workshops in Singapore. His sessions have been the most popular sessions at the CLFs he has participated in. Atif has written 30 short theatre plays and numerous songs and poems for children. One of his poems on confidence-building ‘Aik thi Chunni Aik thi Munni’ was published in the children’s magazine Santara. Atif is also a magnificent storyteller. He has written about 15 short stories for children and conducted and performed many storytelling and dramatic reading sessions for children and elders. Atif Badar has directed 130 short and long theatre plays for different schools since 2010 as a theatre drama teacher and director. He has remained a part of CLFs held across Pakistan. He specially wrote a script, songs and directed a theatre play ‘Chilghouzay aur Mouzay’ for CLF Karachi 2014. The super talented Atif is also a culinary expert – His recipes have been published in Pakistan’s famous newspapers and magazines. – Summer Workshop for Youth – IVS 12th July 21- The Art of Acting
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