Profile

I am an educationist with a vision to create a Multiversity for the underprivileged, offering free education. In service to the poor and needy since 1987 — beginning at the age of 12 — Dr. Uma co-founded Suyam Charitable Trust in 1999 alongside like-minded peers, with a mission to improve the lives of children in poor communities through education.

Area OF Expertise

My areas of expertise are listed below:

• Teaching all international curricula and different teaching methods available worldwide

• Training for entrance-level exams: BITSAT, NTSE, KVPY, NID, JEE Main & Advanced

• Preparing students for Spelling Bee and all-India / international exams in Science, Mathematics, and English (KG to Class XII)

• Identifying learning disabilities and Autism in children, and designing personalised study patterns

• Organising creative stimulation camps for students, teachers, and parents

Also an Education Researcher specialising in self-learning processes and thinking skills within mainstream classroom systems. Has developed modules and workshops for intensive teacher-training programmes across all subjects. Founded Iconowrite Academy to promote creative writing and has designed value-based activity programmes for children.

Key Contributions & Achievements

My two decades of continuous, selfless service — supported by generous benefactors — has led to the establishment of two schools: Siragu Montessori and Bharatha Matha School.

• Running schools for first-generation learners for over 14 years

• Siragu Montessori School (near Avadi, Chennai) — free education to 462 children, including 113 residential students, with a focus on holistic development

• Bharatha Matha School — serving 125 additional students

• Higher education support provided to 50 college students

• Community development for Nomadic Tribes: health activities, rights advocacy, Self Help Groups for women, auto-rickshaws for men, Balwadi for toddlers

• Transformed 250 families from destitution to sustainable livelihood

• Reclaimed 50 acres of wasteland into cultivable agricultural land

Awards & Recognitions

I have received numerous awards over the years, and they are listed below: