Azizullah Paeyndah is a university lecturer and education advocate with over a decade of experience in teaching, academic leadership, and the development of the educational system in Afghanistan. He holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from India and a second Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Leadership, Teaching, and Learning from the University of Dundee, UK. His dissertation, titled “Evaluating the Impact of the Flipped Classroom Approach on the Motivation and Academic Progress of STEM Students”, explores innovative teaching methods in higher education.
He has seven years of teaching experience as a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics at Kabul University and has also served as the Head of the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering at Kateb University. He has taught advanced courses such as Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, and Calculus at various academic levels, playing an active role in curriculum improvement and teaching innovation.
Azizullah is also the founder of Setaragan Zirak Private School in Kabul, a school established to provide affordable, high-quality education to underprivileged children. The institution aims to implement principles of Quality Education, innovation in pedagogy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the greatest extent possible.
Qudsia Sharifi holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Kabul University and currently serves as the Principal of Setaragan Zirak High School in Kabul.
With over four years of dedicated service at this private institution, she has taken on a range of educational roles. Her contributions go beyond classroom instruction, playing a vital role in women’s empowerment, cultural development, and the leadership of expert academic teams. One of her notable achievements is the successful participation of her students in the World Mathematics Invitational (WMI), where they proudly earned a bronze medal.
During the COVID-19 crisis and school closures, Ms. Sharifi proactively launched online classes. Her initiative was warmly welcomed by families and resulted in excellent academic outcomes.
Before formally entering the education sector, she collaborated with the Womanity Foundation, where she focused on teaching technology to girls and encouraging them to pursue STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). She also gained short-term professional experience with Care International.
Alongside her official duties, Ms. Sharifi has been actively involved in voluntary civic initiatives, including awareness on women’s rights, job security, and the transformative power of education.
She is now dedicated to leading a skilled and dynamic team committed to nurturing an enlightened generation in Afghanistan. She firmly believes: “Quality education is the only path to the salvation of nations.”
Mohammad Arif Payenda is an experienced web application developer, researcher, and lecturer. He earned his master’s degree in computer science from South Asian University (SAU), New Delhi, India, in 2019. Since 2013, he has been teaching various courses, including Programming, Web Development, Database and Data Modeling, Algorithms and Data Structures, and Data Mining. He has supervised over 80 bachelor theses at various universities, both application-based and research-focused. Additionally, he has served as a co-supervisor for master’s students. His specific areas of interest include machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and the application of AI in engineering. He has published several articles in prestigious journals such as Elsevier, Springer, and ACL Anthology.
Ms. Zakia Ebrahimi, daughter of Mohammad Ismail, was born in 1990 in the Barjaki area of Nahor district, Ghazni province. Raised in a religious and education-loving family, she developed a passion for learning early on. She began her education at Al-Biruni School and graduated from Bibi Fatima Zahra High School. In 2009, she passed the national Kankor exam and was admitted to the Computer Science department at Ghazni University.
While studying, she worked as Deputy Coordinator at LLC Educational Center and received professional training from the Sadra office. She also served as a Gender Officer at the Twenty Office. After graduating in 2013, she began teaching and later became head teacher and academic deputy at CPES School, serving there for seven years.
Ms. Ebrahimi actively engaged in dormitory management and counseling, helping students overcome academic and behavioral challenges. She currently serves as the academic deputy at Setaragan Zirak High School and is thankful for the support of Mr. Azizullah Paeyndah and Ms. Qudsia Sharifi.
She remains deeply committed to education and prays Afghan girls will once again have the opportunity to participate in the Kankor exam and shape a brighter future.
Reihana Mohsenzada is a dedicated educator, finance manager, and entrepreneur with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Kabul University. She is fluent in Dari, Pashto, and English, and brings over six years of experience in the education sector.
She has served as a teacher for two years at her current school and previously taught for one year at Lam’ah Shahid School. Currently, she holds the position of Finance Manager for the second consecutive year, where she plays a vital role in promoting financial transparency, operational efficiency, and institutional development.
In addition to her work in education, Reihana led a tailoring workshop for three years, where she trained numerous women in practical vocational skills — helping empower them economically. She has also demonstrated strong entrepreneurial skills, having written three successful business proposals. Her work in this area earned her a certificate of recognition from the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan.
Reihana is deeply committed to creating meaningful and lasting impact. Her professional vision is to help transform the school she works with into one of the leading educational institutions in Afghanistan. Regardless of where her journey takes her, she remains focused on continuous growth, excellence, and purposeful contribution to her community.