sparks

About Me – Akbar Ali I am Akbar Ali, an educator, Wikidata volunteer, and journalist from India, currently residing in the United Arab Emirates. I am passionate about teaching, artificial intelligence, Wikipedia editing, Wikidata volunteering, humour, music, reading, and exploring beaches and hills—in that order. Teaching and Education My educational journey began in India, where I spent my most valuable years in the teaching-learning process. I am committed to delivering quality education through creative, inclusive, and engaging approaches, focusing not only on academic knowledge but also on nurturing life skills such as: Critical thinking Collaboration Digital literacy As the Head of the Social Science Department, I have led numerous teacher training programs, coordinated staff development sessions, and implemented innovative teaching strategies that encourage inquiry and real-world connections. Technology Integration and Digital Tools My core interest lies in applying technology to education. I believe that high-tech tools can spark creativity and fuel enthusiasm in the classroom. I actively use platforms such as: AI Tools Wikidata Wikipedia ClassDojo MS 365 Google Workspace These tools help students connect with global education ecosystems, exposing them to diverse perspectives and cultures. As a ClassDojo Ambassador in the UAE, I have successfully trained over 430 teachers from various countries on integrating digital tools to improve student engagement and communication. Wikimedia Involvement & International Participation I am an active contributor to Wikipedia and Wikidata, and have represented the Wikimedia movement at several international conferences as a speaker, trainer, and panelist: International Conferences Attended WikiLib Conference 2025 – Mexico Wikimedia Hackathon 2025 – Istanbul, Turkey EduWiki Conference 2025 – Eldorado, Colombia (Two sessions) WikiArabia 2024 – Muscat, Oman (Pywikibot session) EduWiki Conference 2024 – Montevideo, Uruguay (Panel discussion) WikidataCon 2019 – Berlin, Germany (Panel discussion) EduWiki Conference 2023 – Belgrade, Serbia (Two sessions) WikiArabia 2022 – Dubai, UAE Wikimedia India Conference 2016 – Punjab (Speaker) Wikimedia India Conference 2016 – Hyderabad, Telangana (Panel discussion) In addition to presenting, I have led AI and Wikimedia training sessions for teachers, university students, and school learners across India and the UAE. Training and Outreach In 2022, I led a training program for all school librarians in Dubai, held at the Rashid Library in collaboration with the Emirates Literature Foundation. I have also conducted in-person and online training for educators and students from leading institutions, including: Kerala University Malayalam University Farook College Ma’din Academy Bukhari College Markaz College PMSM College Al Ihsan College FACE Academy Sree Krishnapuram College I regularly offer virtual training via platforms like Edume for global educators. Writing and Media Engagement Before moving to the UAE, I worked as a journalist in Malappuram, Kerala, reporting for both newspapers and a local TV channel. I continue to contribute to: Newspapers Magazines Blogs Wikipedia articles I also manage two blogs and a YouTube channel, where I share educational tutorials, AI-based teaching tools, and reflections on classroom practices. Social Commitment Beyond professional roles, I am deeply committed to social upliftment through education. In my spare time, I taught students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Kerala, many of whom studied in religious institutions and lacked access to mainstream schooling. Recognition Delegate at Qudwa International Teachers Forum 2017 – Abu Dhabi, UAE Featured multiple times in leading Malayalam newspapers and The Indian Express for my contributions to education and Wikimedia outreach. Recognized for community-based initiatives and use of technology in education