Maria Veena Aruldass

Head of Counseling and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Ambassador International Academy, Mankhool

Speaker

Maria Veena Aruldass is the Head of Counseling & Safeguarding at Ambassador international school in Dubai, with over 15 years of experience in school counselling, psychology education, safeguarding and social-emotional learning. She is passionate about designing school cultures where wellbeing is embedded into everyday practice rather than delivered through isolated initiatives.

Throughout her career, Maria has led the development of whole-school wellbeing frameworks, restorative practices, parent engagement programs, safeguarding systems and values-based life skills curricula. She has also taught IB and ISC Psychology and worked extensively with students, educators and families to strengthen psychological safety, belonging and help-seeking cultures.

Maria has presented at international education conferences on topics including restorative practices, student wellbeing and the psychological impact of artificial intelligence. Her work bridges psychology, education and leadership, equipping schools with practical, evidence-informed approaches to creating environments where every student feels safe, seen and supported.