Saira Nazneen Ahsan
Founder of Sunshine Learning Center
English Language Trainer (Corporate & Academic)
Faculty at North South University (NSU)
Teaching has always been her passion. She has been in this profession for the last 25 years. After graduating with honors from the International Relations Department of Dhaka University, she began her teaching career in Pakistan International School in Beijing, China. Later she obtained a Certificate in Pre-School Practice from Barnet College, United Kingdom. The one we are talking about is the familiar face of Bangladesh, Ms. Saira Nazneen Ahsan.
She worked at Scholastica School and Mastermind school in Dhaka. She was an elementary school teacher at Tysons Corner Children Center, Virginia, United States. She, however, took a long break from teaching to take care of her ailing son. But her endeavor for teaching has never ended. She did a Master of Education with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education from the Monash University, Australia.
While in Ottawa, Canada, Ms. Saira, however, had a change of mind. She started to focus on teaching English in a multicultural environment, emphasizing developing English language skills for those whose first language is not English. She did her Ontario Graduate Certificate in Teachers of English as a Second/ Foreign Language (TESOL/TESFL) from Ontario, Canada. TESOL certificate gives her the immunity to teach globally. This professional degree gives her the opportunity to teach adults as well as students of any age. She conducted Conversation Club at Algonquin College at Ottawa. She served at Algonquin Community College, St. Patrick’s Adult School, and World Skills, Ottawa, Ontario. Eventually, she mastered the skills for teaching business English for the corporate world and functional English for private and public sector officials.
Saira Nazneen Ahsan currently lives in Dhaka. She had been to six different countries, including China, UK, USA, UAE, Singapore, and Canada, with her diplomat husband. Her husband served as Bangladesh Ambassador to Singapore and Canada and then worked as Secretary for Bilateral and Consular Affairs at the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh. He is now assigned as Bangladesh Ambassador to the Russian Federation. Saira’s orientation with different cultures and extensive diplomatic life helped her to learn etiquette, polite behavior, and the use of diplomatic language. Also, being the daughter of a retired civil servant (Additional Secretary), she has learned all the core values and ethics from her parents.
She has taken Public Courses (integrated skills), IELTS courses, English for Business Communication Courses, and Speaking Fluency Courses at the British Council Dhaka. She has successfully conducted English for Business Communication Courses, Speaking Courses, and IELTS courses on behalf of the British Council for Special Branch of Bangladesh Police, Ministry of Planning, DIGICON Telecommunication Ltd, My Out Sourcing (funded by ADB), Service Solutions, Dutch Embassy, UNFPetc. In addition to that, she has independently conducted ‘Business English’ and ‘English for Official Communication’ for corporate officials of Urmi Group, a leading Readymade Garments (RMG) exporter of Bangladesh and mid-level civil servants of Bangladesh Government at Bangladesh Institute of Administrative Management (BIAM).
Currently, she is serving as a part-time faculty member at North South University in Bangladesh. Earlier she served at the Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB) and Military Institute for Science and Technology.
Ms. Saira is the founder and Director of Sunshine Learning Center. This center provides the most advanced and sophisticated professional services for children with different abilities. Her vision is to provide professional services with specialized therapies for children with a spectrum disorder.
This year on 26 February, she has received Channel I Digital Media Award 2020 for her outstanding contribution to the causes of special children in Bangladesh.
She has a passion for charities and contributed to a coffee table pictorial book on Singapore along with nine of her friends (spouses of Ambassadors), the publication ceremony of which was inaugurated by Honorable S.R. Nathan, the former President of Singapore. All the sales proceeds of this book went to Singapore Children’s Cancer Society. In her free time, she takes photographs and listens to music.
Sunshine Learning Center (SLC) At A Glance:
Philosophy of SLC:
- We believe every child should be included in the mainstream education system.
- We customize student’s learning plans according to their individual need.
- We provide education services to the children who are differently able with special care to maximize their potential even in a restrictive environment.
- We offer a holistic approach by providing intensive therapy such as speech, physio, occupational, education, behavior, art & music.
Achievement of SLC:
- SLC Director Ms. Saira Nazneen Ahsan received Zonta Club Award in March 2021 as a woman leader for her contribution in the Bangladesh Health Care sector during the covid-19 pandemic.
- SLC Director Ms. Saira Nazneen Ahsan this year received Channel I Digital Media Award as a women leader and special child care personality.
