IIS Appoints Head of the Department of Graduate Studies

From 2006 to 2010, Dr Vellani was the Associate Director of the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania and also served as a Senior Fellow for Penn’s College Houses and Academic Services. There he managed all aspects of academic administration for over 3,000 students every year, as well as undertaking teaching and curriculum development. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, Dr Vellani lectured at London Metropolitan University and Royal Holloway, where he taught Cultural Studies, Urban Studies, Geography and Design History.

Dr Vellani has a PhD from the University of London, where his thesis investigated the role of law and legal frameworks in creating inclusive environments for disabled people in UK Higher Education. Prior to completing his doctoral studies, he earned an MA in Higher Education Administration at New York University in 1999. He has also served as Associate Registrar of Yale Law School and Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law.

Dr Vellani is also a graduate of The Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board (ITREB) Ontario’s Student Waezeen (Ismaili religious education) Programme and served as Secretary of the Waezeen Committee in Toronto. He has undertaken a number of voluntary roles in the Ismaili community; working as the resident scholar at Camp Alamut in Canada (a local religious education programme for 13-17-year-olds) and also at Camp Al-Ummah (a similar residential programme for 15-17-year-olds). He has also been a programme facilitator for As-Sirat in London (a similar programme to Camp Alamut). Dr Vellani was also the conductor of the Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir in Toronto.

We are very pleased to have Dr Vellani join the Department of Graduate Studies and wish him every success in his new position.