Former Trustees
Prof. V.K. Damodaran assumed the role of President of the Board of Trustees in 2016, following the passing of the Founding President, Dr. N.A. Karim. He contributed to the work of VMFT, with great dedication for 8 years until March 2025, especially in the areas of education and science and technology. A well known teacher and activist, he was a leader of many non-governmental initiatives in Kerala, including the Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad. In addition, he worked with the Government of Kerala in leadership positions, as Director of Science and Technology and Environment, and as a founder director of the Energy Management Centre, Kerala.
Dr. Kayamkulam Yoonus, a long time supporter of the VMFT, was a Trustee between 2016 and 2023. A writer, organizer, activist and social worker, he brought his talents to help build VMFT, especially in the area of media.
Former Contributors
VMFT has been served by two distinguished Directors. Dr. K.M. Nair, former director of the National Centre for Earth Sciences Studies in Trivandrum, and eminent geoscientist, became Director of VMFT in 2005. Dedicated to science and the environment, he led the work on professional development of teachers, including the training of geography teachers, and in conceptualizing the project funded by the Sri Ratan Tata Trust for mathematics and English teachers. Following him, Dr. K. Soman, also an eminent scientist from the NCESS, took over as VMFT Director. Dr. Soman was instrumental in taking forward the implementation of the teacher professional development project until its conclusion in 2011.
Mohammed Eeza, was the Manager of VMFT from its inception in 1986 until his passing in 1999. After the untimely demise of the Founder in 1990, he worked closely with the then President, and was instrumental in ensuring that the VMFT continued as a thriving place, organizing many public meetings and events. He was the son of Vakkom Moulavi, and after working as a teacher, he became well-known as a contributor to several magazines and journals. He was a champion of a pluralist, secular society and challenged orthodoxy and fundamentalism in all circles.
Other important contributors included Mr. M.A. Azeem, who served as first Director; Mr. P M. Bashir who took over as Manager after the passing of Mohammed Eeza; and Dr. O.G. Sajitha who worked as Project Director for the SRTT project and later as Director (Programs).