Neelumzehra

Neelum Zehra is a highly accomplished Consultant Occupational Therapist and academic leader with over 23 years of extensive experience in clinical rehabilitation, workforce development, and higher education. She currently serves as Principal of the College of Occupational Therapy at Ziauddin University, where she leads academic, clinical, and administrative initiatives while advancing competency-based education and evidence-informed practice. Her expertise spans acute care, neurorehabilitation, paediatrics, community-based rehabilitation, assistive technology, and mental health services. Neelum has successfully established and integrated occupational therapy services within major hospital systems, including trauma and neurosurgical units, and has pioneered sensory integration therapy units and inclusive community programs in Pakistan. She has played a key role in developing undergraduate occupational therapy curricula aligned with World Federation of Occupational Therapists standards and has contributed to global rehabilitation initiatives with the World Health Organization, particularly in workforce capacity building and assistive technology policy development. An active researcher and founder of the Pakistan Journal of Occupational Therapy and Health, she has published widely on rehabilitation systems, professional development, and service innovation. Her leadership reflects strong competencies in strategic planning, interprofessional collaboration, digital education, and public–private partnership development. Through advocacy, mentorship, and international engagement, Neelum continues to strengthen rehabilitation education and promote inclusive, high-quality occupational therapy practice nationally and globally.