From Classroom to Career: German for a Competitive Edge
School Leaders’ Conference South Asia 2025

Dr. Marla Stukenberg completed her studies in Modern German Literature, Medieval Studies, and Political Science in Frankfurt and Freiburg with a dissertation in Political Science on theories of ethnic conflicts using the case study of the Sikh conflict in India. After her studies, she headed the editorial office for non-European history and cultures at the publishing house C.H. Beck in Munich. She has been working for the Goethe-Institut since 1999. After working in Munich, Karachi, Jakarta, Mumbai, and Bangkok in different leading positions, she was based in Seoul as regional director of the Goethe-Institutes in East Asia from 2016 to 2022. In December 2022, she moved to New Delhi and took over as regional director of the Goethe-Institutes in South Asia.

Dr. Alexandra Mittler holds the position of Director of Language Programs South Asia since September 2022 and is based in New Delhi. Before she served in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina, as deputy director and head of language programs (2017-2022) as well as in the Goethe-Institut head office in Munich (2012-2017). She joined the Goethe-Institut as a teacher and project manager in San Francisco, California.

Dr. Mittler holds a graduate degree in German Language and Literature as well as English Language and Literature and a doctoral degree in German Linguistics from Bayerische Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg (Germany). Between 2006 and 2010, she first taught at the University of Würzburg, later at the University of Syracuse (New York) and University of Berkeley (California).

Stefan Winkler has studied Middle Eastern Studies, German Studies and History at the Universities of Heidelberg and Bamberg in Germany, Arabic at the American University in Cairo and Persian at the University of Tehran. He was a fellow of the Robert Bosch Fellowship for International Affairs and worked as a Lecturer for the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) at the University of Aleppo/Syria, as Deputy Director of the German Language Advisory Center. After a stint at the division “Dialogue with the Islamic World” at the Foreign Office of Germany in Berlin he joined the Goethe-Institut 2004 as the director of the institute in Alexandria/Egypt. Further stations at the Goethe-Institut included Program Officer at the Head Office in Munich for Culture and Development, in the special task force for the managing board and Program Officer for the German-Arab Transformation Partnership at the Goethe-Institut in Cairo. From 2015-2020 he was the Director of the Goethe-Institut Pakistan in Karachi, and since 1st of November 2020 of the Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Marisa Kollenberg is the Head of the Culture Section at the German Embassy in Colombo, where she leads initiatives to promote cultural and educational exchange between Germany and Sri Lanka.

With a diverse international career in the diplomatic service, Marisa has previously worked in Sub-Sahara Africa (Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya) , the Middle East (Qatar and Kuwait) as well as Central Asia (Usbekistan), gaining extensive experience in diplomacy and international affairs.
Her work focuses on Public Relations & Cultural Affairs, but she has also served as Head of Consular & Visa Affairs during previous postings, as well as project planning for Human Rights and Development Cooperation.

Throughout her career, Marisa Kollenberg has been committed to strengthening cross-cultural understanding and fostering long-term educational and professional partnerships.

Georg Gombos (1957) teaches intercultural education and multilingualism at the Department for Educational Science at the Alps-Adriatic-University of Klagenfurt, Austria. He also works part-time as a psychotherapist and coach. He speaks Hungarian, German, English, French, Spanish and Italian.

Dilan Khoshnaw is a specialist at the International and Specialized Services (ZAV) of the German Federal Employment Agency in Bonn, where he works in the Customer Center advising people abroad on working and training in Germany. His focus includes vocational training opportunities, qualification recognition, visas, language acquisition, and family reunification.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from Ruhr University Bochum. Following his studies, he spent seven years at the university’s Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict, contributing to projects and research activities on international migration, humanitarian action, and climate change. A Dutch citizen of Kurdish-Persian origin from Iraq who grew up in Germany, Dilan Khoshnaw speaks five languages fluently, enabling him to connect with diverse audiences across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Heike Röding is a trained lawyer and has been working at the ZAV (International Services Federal Agency of Employment) since 2013.

As a specialist and EURES advisor, she supports job and training searches on a global level. She uses her legal and advisory skills, not least as a former trainer, to help people find suitable career prospects and training places, and to connect international labour markets.

Nimaya Manudewa is the Regional Officer for the DAAD Information Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The DAAD Information Centre in Colombo provides information on study and research in Germany, advises students and academicians on funding opportunities, and assists in building ties between German and Sri Lankan institutions of higher education. The DAAD – Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdiest (German Academic Exchange Service) is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers. It supports academics worldwide and promotes the internationalisation of German universities.

Damayanti Mukherjee is a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience across CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE, and IB curricula. Her career spans key leadership roles including Head of Department, Academic Coordinator, Vice Principal, and since 2015, Principal of Modern High School for Girls, Kolkata.

Under her leadership, the school has significantly expanded its global engagement, introducing German as a core subject through the PASCH–Goethe Institute network and establishing enduring partnerships with schools in Germany and the UK since 2016. She has also pioneered several impactful initiatives such as MEDHA for gifted STEM learners, a Diverse Needs Unit (SEN), Job Shadowing and Master Classes, and a dedicated Career Counselling Cell for senior students.

Beyond her school, Ms. Mukherjee has represented India in educational delegations to Australia and Germany, contributed to IB curriculum reviews in The Hague, and spoken at platforms like TEDx and IIM Lucknow. She also serves on the CII Eastern Region Education Subcommittee and the Scholastic India Advisory Board.

Dr. Kanchan Deshpande is a passionate educator and counselor with over 25 years of experience in school education, including 12 years in leadership roles. Inspired by the educational philosophy of John Dewey, she believes that “education is life itself,” and brings this ethos into every aspect of her work.

She has served in reputed CBSE schools across Pune and Ahmedabad, with expertise spanning academics, administration, curriculum development, quality management systems, and CBSE affiliation processes. Her leadership has been instrumental in securing prestigious awards for the institutions she has led.

Dr. Deshpande is a sought-after speaker and panelist, frequently invited to share insights on NEP 2020, the National Curriculum Framework, innovative pedagogies, life skills education, child psychology, and parenting. She also pioneered a successful long-term school partnership with a German institution, fostering global learning and intercultural exchange.

Kanchan Joshi is an accomplished education leader with over 24 years of experience in teaching and administration across ICSE, CBSE, and IB curricula. Her visionary leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including ‘Best Principal’ awards, while Cygnus World School has been consistently recognised as a top institution by reputed bodies such as Education World and the Ministry of HRD.

Since 2019, she has initiated and sustained a series of international exchange programs—both virtual and physical—with partner schools in Germany, Argentina, the UK, Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, alongside several national collaborations. As a CBSE Resource Person, she actively contributes to the professional development of teachers and principals.

Under her guidance, Cygnus has been named a Microsoft Showcase School for two consecutive years, reflecting its strong integration of technology in curriculum delivery. The school is also deeply engaged in community service projects, addressing issues such as menstrual hygiene, LGBTQ+ awareness, and student-led initiatives like street school wall painting.

Morshedul Islam works as the principal of European Standard School (ESS). ESS is one of the leading English medium schools in Bangladesh and Mr. Islam one of the founders of the school. He has earned B-Tech (Hons) in Civil Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kharagpur, India. He also holds an EMBA from Bangladesh University of Professionals.

As the Principal of Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala, Nirodha Abeywickrama has been leading the school since 2021. Being an SLEAS Grade I Principal with extensive experience in the education sector, she served as the Principal of Ibbagamuwa Central College and began her career as an Assistant Director of Education – Ministry of Education and later at Provincial Department of Education (NWP) and Zonal Education Office, Kuliyapitiya.

With a distinguished career in education spanning over two decades, Ramchandra Khanal has been serving at DAV Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati in Kathmandu since 1997 and has held the position of Vice Principal since 2003. He holds a Master’s degree in Nepali Language from Tribhuvan University, where he has also been contributing as a lecturer since 2000.

As an accomplished textbook author, he has written educational materials in the Nepali language for students ranging from kindergarten to Grade 12, supporting curriculum development and language education across Nepal. Beyond academia, he is actively engaged in social work, collaborating with various organizations, particularly those focused on uplifting rural communities.

As a certified school leader from Harvard and IIM Ahmedabad, Mr. Yadav brings research-backed strategies and a deep commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and student empowerment. His experience spans 34 years across national and international settings, where he has mentored educators, designed policy frameworks, and implemented impactful classroom transformations. Mr. Sanjay Yadav’s leadership is characterized by actionable vision, community engagement, and measurable improvement in student outcomes.

Sharmila Raheja is a distinguished educationist and Gold Medalist from Jamia Millia Islamia University. As a seasoned Resource Person for CBSE, she has led over 15 Capacity Building Programs. Her expertise has shaped key CBSE manuals on Entrepreneurship, Gender Sensitivity, Alternatives to Homework, and Financial Literacy.

Her commitment to academic excellence has earned her the prestigious Smriti Chinh Award from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, as well as the CBSE Award for Excellence in Teaching and School Leadership. Recognised as a Change Maker by Change.org, she has also positioned Uttam School for Girls as a Microsoft Showcase School since 2014.

Mrs. Raheja has been instrumental in fostering international collaboration, notably through the successful school partnership with Liebfrauenschule, Bensheim, Germany.

Sobia Afzal is a passionate and dynamic educationalist and speaker. She is currently working as the Principal of Roots International Schools and Colleges, Wellington Campus since last 10 years. She has a rich experience of 15 years which ranges from school teaching and management to training for personality and character development. She has got a degree of MSc Applied Psychology that supports her in helping students and teachers improve the learning experience.

Vimala Vijayan is a dynamic education leader with over two decades of progressive experience, including seven years as Principal of a reputed K–12 institution. With a strong foundation in curriculum innovation, faculty development, and international collaboration, she is deeply committed to nurturing 21st-century competencies and building inclusive, future-ready learning environments.

Holding a Master of Science in Horticulture and a Bachelor of Education, Mrs. Vijayan brings over 25 years of expertise across Matriculation, CBSE, and CISCE curricula. She has spearheaded long-standing international student exchange programs with Zollberg Realschule, Esslingen, Germany since 2009, and led a pioneering MINT (STEM) collaboration with Peter-Paul-Cahensly-Schule, fostering global exposure and intercultural learning.

Her leadership has earned her multiple ‘Best Principal’ awards, and under her guidance, G.D. School has consistently ranked among the top-performing institutions recognized by leading educational bodies.