Fariba Zeynab and Randeep Kaur – Australian Capital Territory

Randeep is an overseas qualified teacher with over five years of teaching experience. However, domestic violence and a marriage breakdown led to Randeep being affected by anxiecty and trauma. She joined MTC’s Adult Learning Centre in 2025 hoping to learn how to cope with her trauma and find a pathway towards independence.

Fariba is a Trainer, Assessor and Mental Health officer at MTC ACT. Originally from NSW, Fariba transferred to the ACT to establish a Digital Literacy and Job Search Pathways in Workforce Preparation program under the SEE (Skill for Education and Employment) umbrella.

While Randeep has been learning how to rebuild and regain her confidence so she can commence her career in Australia, Fariba’s involvement with Randeep has also given her new confidence in being able to successfully mentor, train and impart hope and self-esteem to those in need.

Working together has demonstrated to Fariba how vulnerable adult learners have their own unique gifts, but they need a mentor or leader to help them come out of their shell. Randeep has learnt how to trust and gain trust as a result of this co-learning partnership.

Randeep’s amazing progress through working with Fariba led to being asked to give a speech at MTC’s Open day earlier this year, in front of Government Ministers, Community leaders, teachers and managers. Randeep (left) and Fariba (right) are pictured at the Open Day.

Randeep not only spoke fearlessly, but was also interviewed by Canberra News WIN, which shared her story that evening. Randeep and Fariba believe that this achievement shows that educators can change the lives of their learners as much learners can inspire their educators.