Meet the Team

Jamal Hussain

Founder & Head Counsellor

Jamal has enjoyed working as a university counsellor for over a decade. Having represented some of Pakistan’s best high schools as a head of department, his extensive experience in education and private counselling makes him a useful resource for students. With a background in corporate and human rights law, Jamal has previously completed a solicitors degree and a Masters from the UK in what seems like another life to him! In his free time he loves mixed martial arts, being outdoors and beating his friends at Dinosaur trivia.

Raissa Chughtai

Director & Head Counsellor

Raissa earned a Cum Laude Bachelor's degree in Economics from Harvard College and also explored graduate courses at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Passionate about improving education in Pakistan, she aims to enhance students' access to quality higher education. At AdAstra, she focuses on providing holistic counseling that prioritizes student well-being.

Tehniyet Kardar

Senior Counsellor

Tehniyet Kardar, a graduate of Oxford University in PPE and with a Masters in Economics from UCL, has experience teaching A Level Maths and Macroeconomics. She also specializes in Oxbridge interview preparation, application advice, and dissertation editing. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and watching Disney cartoons.

Hafsa Ahsan

Counsellor & Profile Building Head

Hafsa Ahsan, a 2023 Rice University graduate, returned to Pakistan to guide students through personalized college applications. She focuses on empowering students by nurturing their confidence and helping them succeed. Additionally, her work also involves community-based research on environment, health, sustainability, and visual culture.

Eleen Raja

Creative Writing Mentor

Eleen Raja is an emerging writer from Lahore, Pakistan, with a Bachelor’s in English Literature from Government College University. She has served as editor of "The Ravi: Special Edition" (2023) and participated in Iowa's prestigious International Writing Program. Currently, Eleen mentors students at Adastra, focusing on essay writing, and also works as an editor and social media coordinator for various literary projects.

Ahsan Salam

Assistant

Ahsan is the meticulous manager at Adastra, expertly coordinating schedules and ensuring everything runs smoothly. With a strong background at LACAS, one of Lahore's prestigious schools, he brings a wealth of experience to his role. In his free time, Ahsan loves to unwind by watching his favorite sports channels.