"Stories of IDP's rising stars!" - Dina Al Khudairi

“At IDP, we are committed to providing our team members with opportunities for advancement. By encouraging mobility and offering developmental opportunities, we aim to facilitate career progression and contribute to our team’s overall success.

We focus on various aspects of managing our workforce and improving how we operate as a business, with a particular emphasis on how our team members grow within our organisation.

Our initiatives, such as Talent Rotation in MEA, play a pivotal role in achieving this objective. This empowers individuals to explore new horizons and grow, while also having a profound impact on our work culture and business outcomes.

Let's hear from some of our team members from the MEA region who have benefited," Dina Al-Khudairi Regional People Experience Director - MEA

Sana Al Hasni 

Business Unit Manager 

“I began my IDP journey in Saudi Arabia in 2008 as an Education Counselor. By 2009, I had progressed to Senior Education Counselor in Dubai, driven by my passion for delivering outstanding customer service and results.

In 2012, I was promoted to Team Leader, followed by a further promotion to Business Unit Manager in 2013. During this time, I was honored to receive the IDP Student Placement Marketing Excellence Award in 2013, IDP Student Placement Excellence Award for Multi Destination in 2014 and IDP Student Placement Excellence Award for Australia in 2015.

In 2016, due to my relocation to Canada, I left the organisation. However, in 2019, I was welcomed back to IDP Canada as Business Unit Manager, where I was able to overachieve FY20 budget for the first full year of Canada Onshore Operation with my team. My efforts were acknowledged, leading to a promotion to Destination and Business Development Manager by 2020 where I focused on building strong client support through engagement, client relations, and driving business growth and expansion.

As I look back, I have had an amazing journey with IDP and I look forward to continuing to shape many more futures with my team!"

Muhammad Fahad Rafique  

Regional IELTS Expansion & Center Support Officer 

"My journey with IDP has seen remarkable progression over the years. I began my role as Deputy Test Centre Administrator for IDP Canada in 2017. I was one of the first few employees that set the stage for IDP IELTS Canada - DTU to build its foundation and footprint in the country. I was promoted to the Regional IELTS Business Development and IT Lead in Canada in 2021 and have since advanced to Regional IELTS Expansion & Centre Support Officer for Middle East & Africa - Azerbaijan & Kazakhstan.

I've had the privilege of contributing to the expansion of the IELTS footprint across Canada, spearheading regional audits, enhance IT infrastructure, and leading the Regional implementation of modernised platforms across Canada, Latin America, Middle East & Africa and Commonwealth of Independent States regions. I am also proud to have established numerous branch offices, IELTS On Computer locations and IELTS paper-based venues across various provinces in Canada.

Our efforts have not only been impactful but also recognised by IDP, with our team receiving the prestigious IDP Global Excellence Award for Terrific Transformation in both 2020 and 2021. Additionally, I was honored to receive the Canada Excellence Award for Ultimate Collaborator for IELTS in 2022.

I am excited to continue driving innovation and excellence within IDP."

Pankaj Arora

Regional Finance Controller

"In November 2006, I began my journey with IDP Education India as an Accounts Executive. Over the years, I've had the privilege of contributing to several significant milestones within the company. I am delighted to have played a pivotal role in establishing the Finance Shared Services process, which has since become a cornerstone of IDP Finance.

I was recognised by IDP with a Financial Excellence Award in 2013-2014, and subsequently for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018, for ensuring Financial Accounting Compliance within Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa.

I took on the responsibility of conducting finance workshops for MEA, which allowed me to contribute to our team's growth in 2015. The following year, I participated in setting up the IDP Company in Sri Lanka, that allowed me to broaden my horizons and learn from new experiences. In 2017, I played a role in transitioning IDP Malaysia to a Finance Shared Services system, through which I learned much about adaptability and teamwork.

During the challenging times of 2021, I was deeply honored to receive the FSS Support of Stat Accounts and Audit award for best compliance. Additionally, in 2022, I was proud to be recognised with an award for Excellence in Reducing Global SP Credit Notes. These accolades underscore the importance of collaboration in achieving our collective goals.

Each of these experiences and achievements have been transformative in my professional journey, fostering my personal growth. Since June 2023, I have been the Regional Finance Controller in the Middle East & Africa region, based in Dubai. I approach this role with gratitude and a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement."

Anil Peruka

IELTS Operations Manager - UAE

"I joined IDP in Mar 2015, as an Assistant Manager IELTS Operations (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Kerala - South India), where my role involved overseeing IELTS Operations & Business Development in the region. Later, in 2017, I was promoted to the position of Area Manager IELTS Operations (South India), taking charge of additional states (Tamil Nadu & Karnataka), and managing the development and operations of the IELTS business in South India.

In 2020, I further advanced to become the Senior Area Manager IELTS Operations (South India), leading a team of 75 members and establishing strong connections with referral partners and academic forums to promote the significance of IELTS in the region.

Recently, in July 2023, I was thrilled to be promoted as the IELTS Operations Manager for the UAE region, where I am responsible for leading the IELTS Operations and driving business development initiatives. As I continue my journey, I eagerly embrace new challenges alongside my team, and the future looks promising and exciting."

Misha Kaur

Business Assurance Officer - MEA

"I joined IDP Education India in February 2022 as Group Internal Audit Manager. I have been involved in developing and executing the Annual Internal Audit plan for regions including the United Arab Emirates, South Asia, and globally. Collaborating closely with the Audit and Risk Committee, I dedicated my efforts to identify areas for improvement. This involved fostering a robust comprehension of upholding and fostering business excellence by ensuring the efficient governance of significant risks and adherence to all compliance requirements.

I led training sessions and risk workshops, offering guidance to improve our practices and develop the country's risk register. This ensured the seamless integration of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and facilitated continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Driven by results, I take pride in implementing standards, procedures, and processes that enhance overall business functionality. With my recent promotion to the role of Business Assurance Officer MEA, I am eager to contribute further value to the team."

Mohab Hussein

Marketing Operation Manager - UAE

"Joining IDP as Senior Regional Digital Advertiser for Middle East & Africa; and Commonwealth of Independent States in June 2015 marked the beginning of my journey. In this role, I managed advertising campaigns and activities for IELTS tests and student placement, leveraging various digital marketing channels. Collaborating closely with destination managers, I focused on generating leads and enhancing our online presence through paid advertising strategies.

In February 2019, I was promoted to Regional Digital Advertising Manager, overseeing marketing campaigns across more than 15 countries. This role allowed me to further refine my skills and drive impactful results.

In July 2023, I advanced to the position of Head of Digital Advertising for Middle East & Africa, and Commonwealth of Independent States. I spearheaded the expansion into Africa, ensuring the successful implementation of tactics and strategies across new offices in the Sub-Sahara region.

Most recently, in December 2023, I embarked on an exciting new chapter in my career journey. With joy and gratitude, I accepted the role of Marketing Operations Manager for UAE and Oman, based in Dubai. This promotion signifies not just a title change but a testament to the team's trust in me. This new challenge has been both exciting and rewarding, and I'm eager to continue driving growth and innovation in my role."

We are sure our team members will go on to achieve more amazing accomplishments! Thank you for your dedication and support with our operations.

Would you also like to be part of our global team that is making an impact on millions? Start by looking for opportunities here.