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Alumni Spotlight: Mohammad Farrae — Leading Global Change in Sustainable Food Systems

Posted on By Schola Nova

Schola Nova takes immense pride in celebrating alumni whose journeys continue to inspire our students and uplift communities around the world. Today, we spotlight Mohammad Farrae, a development professional, sustainability advocate, and global food systems specialist whose work stands at the forefront of climate action and community resilience. His trajectory reflects perseverance, vision, and the transformative power of purpose-driven education.

Driving Global Change Through Sustainable Food Systems

Mohammad currently serves as the Scientific Director of the AIM for Scale Secretariat, a global platform dedicated to advancing climate-smart agriculture, sustainable food systems, and resilience for vulnerable populations. In this leadership role, he helps shape policies, partnerships, and scientific pathways that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and environmental sustainability.
His work is not only technical; it is deeply human-centered. Through global collaborations and strategic foresight, Mohammad is contributing to a future where agricultural systems are equitable, resilient, and environmentally responsible.

A Global Career Rooted in Purpose and Sustainability

Mohammad’s expertise spans:
• Sustainable development
• Food systems transformation
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Policy innovation and global partnerships

Before joining AIM for Scale, he served as Senior Specialist for Food Systems Partnerships at COP28, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening international commitments toward climate resilience. His contributions supported global initiatives to enhance food security, improve agricultural systems, and build climate-adaptive ecosystems.

Across his career, he has collaborated with world-leading institutions, including:
• FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• University of Notre Dame
• U.S. Embassy–supported development programmes
• Gates Foundation–supported initiatives in Pakistan

Through these engagements, Mohammad has built a portfolio of work that bridges research, policy, and community-driven solutions.

Academic Excellence: From Islamabad to Notre Dame

Mohammad’s academic journey is as inspiring as his professional one.
He holds a Master of Global Affairs in Sustainable Development from the University of Notre Dame (USA)  one of the world’s top institutions for global policy and development studies.
His academic foundation began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, which laid the groundwork for his analytical thinking, technical rigor, and systems-based approach to problem-solving.

A Journey That Started at Schola Nova

Mohammad joined Schola Nova in Grade 7, at a time when he had transitioned between multiple schools and faced academic challenges. What followed was a turning point in his life.
At Schola Nova, he found a nurturing environment where individual attention, patient guidance, and personalised learning helped him rediscover his confidence. His teachers recognized his potential long before he did, providing the encouragement and structure he needed to excel.

He completed his O-Levels at Schola Nova and went on to earn a full scholarship for A-Levels at one of Islamabad’s leading institutions. From there, he pursued engineering at NUST, followed by a career that has taken him to global platforms and international leadership roles  culminating in his graduate studies at Notre Dame.
His journey is a powerful reminder that the right school environment can transform a child’s trajectory.

Shaping Global Food Systems and Strengthening Communities

Today, Mohammad’s work revolves around designing and implementing strategies that support climate-resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems worldwide. His efforts directly contribute to improving livelihoods, strengthening agricultural ecosystems, and supporting communities most impacted by climate change.
Through his work, he represents the values that Schola Nova holds dear  integrity, innovation, compassion, and a commitment to meaningful global impact.

A Schola Novian Who Inspires

Mohammad Farrae embodies what it means to be a Schola Novian: a compassionate leader, a lifelong learner, and an individual committed to creating positive change.
His story reassures our students that:
• Struggles are stepping stones
• Potential grows when nurtured
• Purpose can lead you across the world
• Excellence is a journey shaped by resilience and heart

Mohammad continues to inspire the Schola Nova family, reminding us that great futures often begin with small moments of belief — the kind that teachers extend, classrooms nurture, and students eventually live out on the global stage.

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Rameen Farrukh — A Schola Nova Alumna Transforming Global Health

Posted on By Schola Nova

Schola Nova proudly celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of its alumni who continue to create meaningful change in their fields. Among them is Dr. Rameen Farrukh, a dedicated Medical Doctor and a passionate advocate for public health, whose journey reflects excellence, purpose, and a deep commitment to improving lives.
Rameen is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health at King’s College London, where she is exploring the intersection of medicine, economics, public and global health systems. The program equips future leaders with the knowledge needed to understand health challenges at a population level and to develop solutions that transform healthcare delivery around the world.

At King’s, Rameen holds key leadership roles as the MPH Programme Representative, Student Leader, and serves as a member of the Staff–Student Liaison Committee (SSLC). Through these positions, she advocates for her cohort, collaborates closely with the faculty and department, and helps shape a supportive, high quality, enriching academic environment for all MPH students.

A Foundation of Excellence:

Rameen’s achievements are rooted in the strong academic and personal foundation she built at Schola Nova. She graduated from Medical School at the top of her class, earning 2 Gold Medals and 7 distinctions reflecting her dedication, discipline, and passion for serving others.

Her experience working in the clinical environment gave her valuable insight into the world of patient care. At the same time, it helped her recognise an important truth. True and sustainable change in healthcare does not occur only at the bedside. It emerges from the systems, structures, and policies that shape healthcare access and quality for entire communities.
This realisation set the direction for her next chapter.

Shaping the Future of Public Health:

Rameen strengthened her expertise by studying Health Economics and Policy at the London School of Economics, an experience that deepened her understanding of how financing, incentives, and policy structures shape population health. Her interest in public health grew further as she began working across Pakistan’s private and public health sectors, contributing to research, communication, and system strengthening work.

Her exposure in the field, including time spent at the Ministry of National Health, Pakistan, allowed her to observe firsthand how well designed programmes, effective communication, and evidence based decision making can influence national health outcomes.
These experiences motivated her to pursue further training and research so she could work at the intersection of medicine, public health and advocacy, shaping health systems that better serve communities..

Today, at King’s College London, she continues to broaden her understanding of health systems and their impact on communities worldwide.

Health Mosaic: Telling the Story of Pakistan’s Public Health Landscape

Alongside her academic work, Rameen created Health Mosaic: Pakistan’s Journey, a blog dedicated to exploring the realities of public health in Pakistan. Through research, storytelling, and thoughtful analysis, she highlights both the successes and the challenges within the country’s health system.
Her writing captures the stories behind health programs, the communities they serve, and the policies that shape them. It is a platform that encourages dialogue, awareness, and reflection on the future of healthcare in Pakistan.
Her work can be explored at the following link:
https://www.healthmosaicpakistan.com/
Health Mosaic reflects her belief that advocacy begins with understanding, and that storytelling can be a powerful tool for change.

A Schola Novian with Heart, Vision, and Purpose:

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Rameen has embodied the values that Schola Nova upholds. She is curious, compassionate, principled, and driven by the desire to uplift communities. Her long-term goal is to bridge medicine, public health, policy and advocacy so that health systems become not only stronger but also more effective and equitable.

Her path demonstrates how a strong foundation set during school years can shape a future defined by purpose and global impact. She continues to inspire current and future Schola Novians to think beyond boundaries and to pursue excellence with courage and intention.

A Message of Inspiration for Our Students

Dr. Rameen Farrukh’s story is a powerful reminder that the journey from a classroom in Islamabad can lead to leadership roles on the world stage. She encourages every student to dream boldly, work with dedication, and commit themselves to making a meaningful difference in society.
Schola Nova is proud to have been a part of her early academic journey. Her achievements, her voice, and her vision continue to inspire our community and offer a glimpse into what compassionate leadership in healthcare can look like!

Alumni Spotlight: Mariam Naseem, A Schola Nova Star Reaching Beyond the Earth

Posted on By Schola Nova

Schola Nova proudly highlights the achievements of its alumni, and one of the most inspiring journeys is that of Mariam Naseem. Her success reflects the strong academic foundation students receive at Schola Nova, a school known by many parents as the Best School In Islamabad and a leading Cambridge School In Islamabad.

Mariam’s academic brilliance was clear from the beginning. She graduated from Schola Nova with 9 straight As. This outstanding result shows the level of guidance and academic support students receive at one of the Top School In Islamabad. The strong base she built at Schola Nova helped shape the remarkable path she follows today.

Mariam is currently a Polar and Planetary Science Researcher and a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research focuses on geological processes on icy ocean worlds. She studies extreme places on Earth to understand planets and moons far away. Her work places her at the front line of scientific learning and discovery.

From Schola Nova to Space Science

After excelling at the Best School In Pakistan, Mariam completed her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Her degree opened doors to many engineering roles. She worked as a field engineer on an oil rig in Russia and later as a manufacturing engineer in Texas. These early experiences helped her gain confidence, problem solving skills, and global exposure.

Her interest in leadership and innovation then pushed her to pursue an MBA from the University of Toronto. This expanded her skills, allowing her to take on roles in major industries. She worked as a technology strategist at one of Canada’s largest banks and later joined a quantum computing startup as a business development manager.

 

A Global Contributor in Space Governance and Advocacy

Before starting her Ph.D., Mariam played a key role in the global space sector. She worked with the Industry Relations team at the Canadian Space Agency, helping companies grow and connect internationally.

Her passion for responsible space activity led her to the Open Lunar Foundation as a Research Fellow. There, she helped design open communication systems for future lunar missions, supporting transparency and shared learning.

She also worked with the ASU Space Governance Lab at Arizona State University, where she studied technologies and policy frameworks for growing space nations. Her contribution continues to support global conversations on fair and sustainable space exploration.

A True Schola Novian

From scoring 9 straight As at Schola Nova to making valuable contributions in planetary science, Mariam represents the excellence that defines Schola Nova. The school’s focus on discipline, curiosity, and academic strength reflects why parents consider it the Best School In Islamabad and one of the Top School In Islamabad for Cambridge education.

Her story is a reminder of how early education shapes future leaders. With the right guidance, passion can turn into a meaningful and impactful career.

A Message of Inspiration

Mariam’s journey encourages every Schola Novian to dream big, stay curious, and work with commitment. Her success shows that with hard work and the right support system, students can rise to incredible heights in any field they choose.

Schola Nova is proud to be part of her academic journey. Her achievements continue to inspire students who are passionate about science, technology, innovation, and space. Mariam’s story proves that a beginning in a single classroom can lead to a future as wide as the universe.

HER PROFILES:

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