Dr Mona Lisa Bal
Dr Mona Lisa Bal, as Chairperson, KiiT International School, combines exceptional academic leadership qualities with research-based learning programmes to create a conscious inclusive meaningful educational space in a K-12 school. She graduated in Political Science with Honours from Calcutta University, post-graduated in Political Science from Utkal University and has an MBA degree from KIIT University. Taking her academic journey forward, she did her Doctorate in Effective Learning in a Joyful Environment, a pioneering area. She is also pursuing her DLitt on the Impact of RTE in Ending Social Exclusion: With a special thrust on Section 12(1)(c) from Berhampur University, Odisha.
A prolific researcher, she has contributed several articles in internationally reputed educational journals like IOSR, IJARSE, British Journal of Education and World Journal of Educational Research. This includes two papers published in Scopus Indexed journals. A collection of her best research articles has just been published as a book titled An Insight into India’s Education Policy. She also writes insightful edits in reputed newspapers on public policy in education in India.
For the promotion of inclusive quality education for disabled children, her school has created a pool of trained teachers for special children, to give SEN students the opportunity to transition to mainstream learning with the right kind of empowerment. She envisions a Centre for Disability Studies, with internationally acclaimed experts which will be the first of its kind in Eastern India. SDG Goal 10, which underscores the importance of empathy, technology and leadership for inclusive quality education for disabled children cannot have a more committed proponent.
She has enriched the KiiTIS SEN Globe, an expansion of the Special Education Needs Department to provide therapeutic centres for speech therapy, cognitive therapy, sensory integration, occupational therapy, behavioural modification therapy and psychological counselling. Her thrust for joyful learning by combining the best pedagogical practices, and inclusive quality education makes her a sui generis educationist in the quaint but vibrant temple city of Bhubaneswar.
It is under her leadership that KiiT International School has achieved all-round excellence and is ranked among the top schools in India. Several international awards and MoUs with organisations for academic excellence have been achieved with Dr Bal's motivational leadership. She has constantly upgraded her leadership skills with global top universities, specifically the CAEL programme of Cambridge University, UK in June 2022. The school has grown exponentially with 1800 students and 800+ employees in all. The Inspiron Club of the school envisioned by her undertakes corporate social responsibility activities targeting education and health in the nearby villages to help enhance the social sensitivity and empathy of the students.
The Inspiron Club of the school, envisioned by her, undertakes corporate social responsibility activities targeting education and health in the nearby villages to help enhance the social sensitivity and empathy of the students.
She has steered KiiT International School to incorporate SDGs in the school curriculum consciously and linked the learning of subjects to SDGs at the planning and policy level. She is the guiding force behind the Vedic Memory Lab, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country for empowering students to enhance learning with the best amalgam of traditional and modern pedagogical practices for holistic learning.
She was conferred with the Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award from the NRI Welfare Society in the House of Commons of Parliament in London. She also received the Emerging Leader award and the Leadership Excellence Award 2019, Thailand, an initiative by Meccademia Education Group. She has been bestowed with the Visionary Leader of the Year 2022 title by the Centre of Education, Growth and Research for her contribution towards education, skill and research.
She is also the Editor of Kloud9, India’s first literary magazine exclusively for the youth with the primary aim of reviving student engagement with literature and creating a forum for the younger generation to express themselves. As Director of Pragativadi, an Odiya daily newspaper known for its vast readership and journalistic values, she has contributed significantly to its growing circulation.
