Our founder
Our founder - Dr Seyed Alavi Sheriffdeen
The Visionary Behind DASSP
Our founder Dr Seyed Alavi Sheriffdeen was born and grew up in Manchanthoduwai, in the eastern province of Sri Lanka. He attended the local primary school, An Nasar Vidyalaya. He obtained his secondary education from Kattankudy Central College and then at St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa, where he was exposed to a diversity of ethnic and religious cultures. He carried this experience from childhood which proved to be a beneficial aspect that prevailed throughout his adult years.
Dr Sheriffdeen completed his preliminary graduate studies in Sri Lanka. Subsequently, he was awarded the World Bank scholarship to read for a master’s degree in Education at Deakin University, Australia. After completing his Master’s degree, he went on to pursue further postgraduate education in Australia, in diverse fields including Secondary education, and Business Computing. He also holds a Masters Degree in Information Systems from the University of Melbourne. He read for a doctorate in Education and was awarded a Doctorate by Victoria University.
While engaging in academia, he also built his career in the field of education. He has held prestigious teaching positions at several schools and tertiary institutions in Australia and overseas.
A vibrant social worker, and community activist, he has been involved in numerous community projects since 1990 and has rendered his services to diverse communities within Australia and other parts of the world. He has also held many leadership positions in a myriad of community service organisations. Throughout his community services, Dr Sheriffdeen has made a concentrated effort to promote access to clean water and equal and equitable education for all.
Dr Alavi Sheriffdeen School for Pioneers(DASSP) is committed to providing an academically holistic education for students with a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Our curriculum is carefully designed with innovative and comprehensive methods to provide an enriching, fun-filled, safe and comfortable learning environment. We strive to be committed to the students we are privileged to serve. We focus on providing sustainable education and ensure that the learning process is consistent and uninterrupted by poverty and other deterrents.
Dr Alavi Sheriffdeen School for Pioneers (DASSP) provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in educational activities that supplement their school education and also open doors to broaden their proficiency in areas of arts, culture, technology and personality development.
A brainchild of Dr. Alavi Sheriffdeen, the DASSP is open to students from myriad backgrounds. The DASSP comprises four campuses: OPEN Centre for Education, Empowerment Centre for Education, HOPE Centre for Education and DAS Centre for Excellence. A unique feature of these education centres is that they function as recreational and academic centres, which provide students with support in their school education and also teach them life skills. The education centre also facilitates regular parent-teacher meetings.
Our talented and dedicated faculty and staff have undergone rigorous training in modern and traditional teaching methodologies and practise the best teaching techniques with our students. We also take pride in having the most active and helpful group of partners, visionary parents, well-wishers, alumni and friends in Sri Lanka and overseas.