Who We Are?
The board of the Education for Development Foundation consists of 3 members: Vinay Sewdien (Chair), Zahierra Ilahi (Secretary) and Madhvi Hemradj (Treasurer). All three board members come from a developing country and know first hand how lack of financial means can pose a risk on personal development and growth. Below the board members briefly introduce themselves.
Vinay Sewdien (Chair)
My name is Vinay Sewdien and I was born in Suriname. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in 2011 from the Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, my Master’s degree in 2013 from the KU Leuven and my PhD degree in 2021 from the Delft University of Technology, all in the field of Electrical Power Engineering. I currently work as the European Power System Planner at Shell Renewables & Energy Solutions.
With practically my entire family being involved in the education field, I was fortunate to experience first hand what the power of education can be. Having travelled around the world and engaging with several communities, I realized that bringing long lasting, sustainable development, both in developing and developed countries, requires a certain mindset. It is my conviction that education is one of the best ways to achieve this mindset.
With the Education for Development Foundation, I hope to improve the prospects of youth through education, for them to feel empowered and equipped to contribute to the sustainable development of their community and to pay it forward.
Zahierra Ilahi (Secretary)
My name is Zahierra Ilahi and I was born and raised in Paramaribo, Suriname. In 2012 I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname. After finishing my studies in Suriname, I decided to continue my education in the Netherlands and in 2013 I received my Master’s Degree in Information Science from the University of Groningen.
In 2013, immediately after my graduation, I started my professional career with a traineeship as an IT Consultant. In the changing world of IT, it is important to keep yourself updated on the newest developments. I am still learning and growing every day. I believe continuous learning is the key enabler in being successful and being able to develop yourself.
Having been raised in a developing country, I know firsthand that it is not obvious for all youngsters to have access to (higher) education. The Education for Development Foundation has the mission to make (higher) education accessible to youngsters who would otherwise not be able to receive education, by providing financial support. Access to education should not be a privilege and I hope that our foundation will open a world of opportunities for those we are able to support.
Madhvi Hemradj (Treasurer)
My name is Madhvi Hemradj, born and raised in Suriname, where I got a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the Aton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname and successfully completed the Physics program at the Instituut voor de Opleiding van Leraren (Teacher Education College). I then moved to the Netherlands for a Master’s degree in Accountancy at the University of Groningen and also completed the Master Teaching Business Economics in Secondary Education at the University of Leiden. As of now I am working as an Internal Auditor at ABN AMRO Bank and continue studying the Executive Master Internal Auditing at the University of Amsterdam.
My parents always made me reflect on the privilege I had to enjoy study, vacations and healthy food. They have always encouraged me to study hard and make the most of it as to reach a higher level in life and to help the less fortunate in our society so that they become resilient.
So far I have been involved in various charities, such as entertaining senior citizens, reading for children with language problems and setting up financial statements. Now I want to contribute to the education of youngsters who are less fortunate in having access to higher education, because, as Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we have for changing the world.”