Dr Raihana Ferdous has made a profound impact on education at the Australian International Islamic College (AIIC), where she serves as Deputy Principal. A PhD-qualified electronic engineer fluent in four languages, Dr Ferdous transitioned from industry to education with a clear purpose: to empower students through equitable and inclusive learning.

At AIIC, she has led a comprehensive curriculum renewal to ensure it is culturally relevant and has real-world applications. Her leadership has extended to creating a replicable ESL and EAL/D framework, which has improved literacy outcomes for migrant students and is now being trialled in other schools.

Dr Ferdous is a strong advocate for gender equity. Her initiatives, including culturally responsive sports and STEM programs, have increased female participation in sport by 39 per cent and senior STEM enrolments by 32 per cent. She has further strengthened school culture through a post-COVID model of care by integrating trauma-informed teaching and mental health support - doubling parent engagement and improving early intervention for students.

Balancing her leadership role with classroom teaching, Dr Ferdous continues to inspire students, particularly young women, to pursue careers in STEM. Her work exemplifies the power of inclusive, values-driven leadership in education.