TheCconnects: Dr. Zareena Sultana, you’ve spent over three decades shaping minds, institutions, and student ecosystems. Take us back to the beginning-how did your professional journey unfold, and what led you to your current role?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
My professional journey began in 2009, when I started my career as a teacher of English. From the very beginning, I was fascinated by the transformative power of language-how effective communication could influence not just academic performance, but also confidence, identity, and worldview.
Very early on, I realized that education extends far beyond textbooks. It is deeply intertwined with emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and self-belief. As my career progressed, my responsibilities expanded naturally-from classroom teaching to faculty development, student mentoring, and academic administration.
Today, as the Dean of Students’ Welfare at ISL Engineering College, I see my role as that of a bridge-connecting students with institutions, academics with life skills, and ambition with well-being.
TheCconnects: Your appointment as a Mentor with the E-Cell at IIT Bombay marks a significant milestone. How has this role enabled you to influence student innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and real-world impact?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
Being appointed as a Mentor with the E-Cell at IIT Bombay has been a deeply enriching experience. It has allowed me to engage closely with some of the brightest young minds as they transform raw ideas into purpose-driven innovations.
My mentoring focus has been on encouraging students to think beyond concepts-towards impact, feasibility, ethical responsibility, and sustainability. What I find most inspiring is witnessing the shift in their confidence and leadership mindset. Students who initially hesitate to voice their ideas gradually evolve into decisive problem-solvers, effective communicators, and resilient entrepreneurs.
Watching this transformation-from ideators to impact creators-has reaffirmed my belief in the power of the right mentorship at the right time.
TheCconnects: You’re widely recognized for blending academic leadership with student welfare. Why do you believe this balance is so critical in today’s education system?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
Because students do not live fragmented lives. Academic pressure, emotional well-being, family expectations, communication challenges-everything overlaps. When institutions focus only on grades and placements, they overlook the human being behind the roll number.
Student welfare is not a peripheral support system; it is central to academic success. When students feel safe, heard, and supported, they perform better academically and grow into confident professionals. My work is guided by the belief that education must nurture both competence and character.
TheCconnects: Over such an impactful career, who has influenced you the most?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
Interestingly, my greatest teachers have been my students. Each generation brings new perspectives, challenges, and aspirations. Working with multilingual, first-generation learners and students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds has deeply shaped my understanding of inclusive education.
I have also drawn inspiration from educators who view teaching as a social responsibility rather than a routine profession. Their humility, integrity, and commitment to lifelong learning have significantly influenced my leadership philosophy.
TheCconnects: What were some of the major challenges you faced while stepping into leadership roles, and how did you overcome them?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
One of the key challenges was navigating perception-particularly as a woman in academic leadership. Leadership often comes with scrutiny, resistance, and heightened expectations. Balancing teaching, administration, mentoring, and research was another demanding aspect.
I addressed these challenges through consistency, transparency, and collaboration. I believe leadership is not about authority, but about trust. When people trust your intent and integrity, challenges become opportunities for collective growth.
TheCconnects: Your research focuses on multilingual and inclusive education. Why is this area especially relevant today?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
Our classrooms are more diverse than ever, yet teaching models often remain uniform. Multilingualism is frequently viewed as a limitation, when in reality, it is a strength.
My research explores how inclusive pedagogies and adaptive learning systems can support diverse learners without compromising academic rigor. Inclusion is not about lowering standards-it is about widening access to excellence.
TheCconnects: In the digital age, what is the biggest challenge facing educational institutions and learning brands?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
The biggest challenge is meaningful engagement. While technology has increased access, it has not always enhanced learning effectiveness. Too often, platforms prioritize content delivery over learner experience.
Education in the digital era must be human-centered. Without empathy, personalization, and responsiveness to learner needs, even the most advanced tools fail to create lasting impact.
TheCconnects: How do your initiatives address the real pain points students face today?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
Students today face immense pressure-academic competition, communication anxiety, career uncertainty, and emotional stress. Through structured soft-skills programs, mentoring, counseling initiatives, and engagement activities, we address these challenges holistically.
I strongly advocate experiential learning. Confidence is built through practice-presentations, discussions, leadership activities-not through instruction alone. Students need safe spaces to apply what they learn.
TheCconnects: With such a demanding professional life, how do you find time to recharge?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
Reading is my sanctuary-especially literature, educational research, and reflective writing. I also enjoy mentoring young educators and engaging in academic discussions, which keep me intellectually stimulated.
Equally important is quiet reflection. Leadership demands emotional balance, and self-awareness is essential for serving others effectively.
TheCconnects: What advice would you give aspiring educators and academic leaders?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
Remain curious. Education is dynamic, and educators must evolve with it. Listen deeply-to students, colleagues, and communities-because the best solutions emerge from dialogue.
For aspiring leaders, remember that leadership is service. Build systems that empower others, uphold ethical standards, and stay grounded in purpose. Impact matters far more than titles.
TheCconnects: Finally, what is your long-term vision for education and student empowerment?
Dr. Zareena Sultana:
I envision an education system that is inclusive, adaptive, and deeply humane-one that encourages critical thinking, confident communication, and responsible action.
Through teaching, research, and leadership, my goal is to help create learning environments that do not merely produce degrees, but shape thoughtful, resilient, and socially conscious individuals. Education, at its best, transforms lives-and that is the legacy I hope to contribute to.
