Shompi Chakraborty Purkayastha

In the broad landscape of society, administration, education, and culture in West Bengal, the progress of Muslim women has ushered in a new chapter today. Overcoming long-standing social barriers, superstition, and gender-based discrimination, they are now taking positions of leadership. One of the brightest faces of this transformation is Professor Shabina Nishat Omar, whose life journey stands as a remarkable example of women’s self-empowerment in modern society.

Active in the academic world for more than 25 years, Prof Omar is not only an educator but also a skilled administrator, inspiring speaker, and fluent multilingual presenter.

She is currently serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Directorate of Higher Education under the Government of West Bengal.

Professor Shabina Nishat Omar - the woman of substance

At the same time, her academic leadership as Head of the English Department at Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose College is equally commendable.

An important chapter of her professional career was her 19 years of teaching at Milli Al-Ameen College for Women, as Principal-in-Charge for 15 years.

During this time, she played a major role in transforming the institution into a modern, well-organized, and student-friendly campus.

Beyond administrative excellence, Professor Omar’s multidimensional activities have given her a distinct identity. She is a skilled debater, eloquent speaker, and outstanding reciter, through which she has expressed her views on various national and international platforms.

Professor Shabina Nishat Omar (Third from left) at a College function

Her active involvement in promoting women’s empowerment, digital education, gender studies, and inclusive education has established her as an influential thinker in contemporary society.

Her presence in seminars, workshops, and academic platforms carries a powerful message for the younger generation—that education is not merely a profession, but one of the strongest tools for social transformation. As a speaker and trainer, she emphasizes leadership development, women’s self-reliance, language proficiency, and strategies to address modern social challenges.

In recognition of her contributions, she has received several honours, including the Damini SHE Award and the Disrupt Women’s Leadership Award.

Her nomination to the International Visitor Leadership Program of the United States Department of State further strengthened the international recognition of her work.

At present, she is also actively involved in several administrative and academic responsibilities associated with University of Calcutta.

Professor Shabina Nishat Omar

As Bursar and Internship Nodal Officer at the college level, her initiatives in connecting students with practical education are especially noteworthy.

The journey of Professor Shabina Nishat Omar is not merely a story of personal success; it is a blueprint of women’s self-establishment in modern society. Personalities like her prove that with the right vision, dedication to education, and commitment to society, a woman not only creates her own place but also opens the path for others.

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Her presence on seminar stages is not just participation as a speaker—it is a source of inspiration, where a woman firmly establishes her position in modern society through knowledge, experience, and leadership.