State and University topper, Fatima Agarkar, after receiving a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from England, apart from her B.ED and ECCE, began her journey in the corporate world. She was adjudged Education World’s top 50 young educators in 2014, and is also the recipient of several awards for outstanding contribution to education in 2013, 2015. Commerzbank, Times of India and Egon Zender International as diverse organizations were the perfect foundation before she was involved in the set up of three premier K-12 national and international schools in Mumbai.
Having gathered tremendous experience as a result of managing schools with which she has been associated with, Fatima now partners Gitika to create more opportunities for stakeholders in the education space with a passion for teacher training, special needs and sports. Pioneering, “out of box” and a risk taker, Fatima’s love for children defines her passion for the team she leads. KA EduAssociates, an educational start-up is an initiative co-founded by Fatima Agarkar. Fatima launched initiative which is an optimistic step towards enhancing the quality of pedagogy via teachers but also training and educating the parents to keep up with academic advancement of their children through parenting workshops, open platform discourses etc.
We have the educationist and entrepreneur, Fatima, grace us at Women Fitness India, as she talks about education in this era.
NN:
Achieving a masters in Business Administration with distinction in Strategic Management and Marketing from the University of Birmingham (Central England) is a grand achievement. Can you elaborate what drew you towards this field and what motivated you towards further pursuing a BEd and Ecc as teacher training qualifications?
FA:
As a commerce student, everyone aspires for a Masters so it isn’t a grand achievement. It is kind of what our generation thought as a stepping stone to a career in banking. But after a short stint working as a banker, I realised that was not my calling. Education was something I thought about a lot when during my Masters, given that I topped University at TY but that gave me nothing in terms of a foundation for pursuing a Masters and how different skills come into play to decode those case studies, examinations.
Also life skills, living alone, managing everything including course work and working on campus etc was indeed different from the life we have back home. It also taught me multitasking, how to prioritise, how to handle different people and situations independently. These are perhaps important skills to be learnt as a student and our education system does not include these. So there was a gap!! And I was excited about what I could do to bridge it. So the decision to be in education meant that I would have to learn the nuances and therefore qualifications are necessary. BED and ECC are natural to achieve that understanding.
NN:
According to you today, Education is much more than a child attending school, and keeping track of her academic routine. Please Elaborate.
FA:
It is about holistic education incorporating life skills, co-curriculars like performing arts, creative arts and sports. It is about nurturing individual talent and providing them a platform for achieving their dreams. So education is getting the children life ready and making sure they are adaptable, happy and healthy as well.
NN:
After launching KA EduAssociates in Mumbai in 2016 along with co-founding partner Gitika. Your company branched out into consultancy. How successful have you been with your decision and what has been the response of the masses? What all services do you offer?
FA:
In two and a half years – 4 national and international high schools, 4 pre-schools as a consultancy pan India is reasonable achievement working with some of the finest names in industry as promotors.
We also have teacher training, curriculum design, school audits, parenting and student workshops as other verticals.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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NN:
How do you balance your personal & professional life?
FA:
It is a case of being passionate, and managing your time. If you have the desire, then you find a way. And to be honest there are hard days when you are not being able to be part of your child’s important events, or family functions but it is a matter of juggling and support from friends and family that also makes a huge difference.
NN:
What is your fitness routine on a normal day?
FA:
Try and get a walk or a swim in, which helps immensely but honestly, the travel tends to take its toil on you. So you have to get those exercise routines in.
NN:
Sports has to be an integral part for any education system for an all round development of all? What’s your say on the same?
FA:
Absolutely- a fitter mind, helps one eat better, and creates more energy and stamina and that means longer concentration spans.
Also, team sport teaches you important life skills such as discipline, teamwork, failure and how to cope, success and what it means to handle it.
NN:
5 foods you love to eat?
FA:
- Salads- any type
- Soups – any type
- Sandwiches – grilled veggies
- Japanese – teppanyaki
- South Indian – idlis, dosas
NN:
Your idea of Relaxation? Top 5 holiday destinations?
FA:
Reading and going for walks on the beach is my idea of relaxation.
The ideal destinations where I would love to go for holiday are,
- Gstaad
- London
- Vienna
- New York
- Goa
NN:
Daily hair care & skin care routine?
FA:
It’s wash and go and I wish I did more for its care. Luckily, I have straight hair and not the fussy type, so it does not take too much effort.
NN:
What contribution do you intend to make through your company & how far have you been successful?
FA:
We have made huge inroads as a team – in 30 countries and inspired many to embrace 21st century teaching and learning and gotten them to think differently. This is in the private education space, and we would like to also make the same impact in unaided schools in public sector. Also, create a presence in South East Asia.
NN:
How do you go about handling challenges and tough moments?
FA:
Self-motivation, re-grouping and strategising with core team members, and always embracing a challenge as an opportunity instead of a problem. Going back to the drawing board, admission of a mistake and acceptance that solutions can be generated. Plus these moments pass … so hang in there. The chapter does end – always.
NN:
Women of today need to have a vision for progress, your one piece of advice for teenage girls regarding education?
FA:
Give education the due respect, learn at every opportunity you get and always have a vision for yourself independent of others. Use the skills you have amassed in education to help achieve whatever goal you set as an employee, an entrepreneur or as a home maker. Education gives you a sense of right and wrong, a foundation to think, which helps decision making.
NN:
Motivational Quote you live by?
FA:
Leaders don’t create followers. They create more leaders.
NN:
What’s your view about the Women Fitness website?
FA:
Wholesome, refreshing and informative. Kind of like a one stop shop for those looking for information with a lovely layout.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness Org