Our missions
Dual identity celebration
We promote pride in both Asian heritage and Irish belonging, showing that one strengthens the other.
Solidarity through diversity
We unite Asian communities in Ireland while also building bridges with Irish society and other migrant groups.
Intergenerational connection
We create spaces where elders share traditions while younger members explore hybrid cultural expressions.
Advocacy and representation
We ensure Asian voices are heard in policy, arts, education, and public life.
Founders’ Spotlight
Our mission is to challenge the status quo and create meaningful, lasting impact through everything we do. Driven by a vision to inspire change.
Dr Meishan Zhang is an advocate for migrant rights and intercultural understanding. She is the director of Asian & Irish Community Connect and the Information and Advocacy Officer at Crosscare Migrant Project, where she provides immigration information and support to the Chinese community and the wider migrant population.
From 2023 to 2025, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Maynooth University, where her project “Interpreting Justice” explored Chinese immigrants’ experiences in the Irish immigration system.
Meishan holds degrees from Nankai University, the University of St Andrews, and Trinity College Dublin, where she earned her PhD in History. She previously taught Chinese language at Maynooth University and has led several innovative projects combining research, education, and cultural engagement.
Gonchigkhand Byambaa is a Mongolian nomad, community activist, and human rights advocate dedicated to building bridges between migrant communities and Irish society. With over 15 years of experience in equality and community development across Mongolia and Ireland, she focuses on empowering individuals to move from isolation to belonging.
Since arriving in Ireland in 2016, she has founded the Irland Ornoor Grassroot Volunteer Club, co-initiated the We Are Here Too campaign on domestic and gender-based violence, and served as a STAND anti-racism trainer promoting civic engagement.
Currently pursuing a Master’s in Community and Youth Work at Maynooth University, Gonchigkhand co-founded Asian & Irish Community Connect to celebrate dual identities, amplify Asian voices, and foster solidarity through diversity. Rooted in nomadic values of resilience and hospitality, she strives to create spaces where every culture feels at home.
Sadia Athar is a dedicated community leader, human rights advocate, and visual artist. As co-founder and secretary of Asian & Irish Community Connect, she brings creativity and leadership to every initiative. With a background in Fine Arts, Strategic Management, Training & Development, and Anti-Racism, she combines artistic vision with strong advocacy skills.
Currently serving as Chairperson of the Intercultural Platform Community Network (IPCN) and President of the Kashmir Peace & Solidarity Council Ireland (KPSCI), Sadia’s work focuses on equality, disability rights, women’s empowerment, and migrant inclusion. She strives to build an inclusive and culturally vibrant Ireland where every voice is respected and heard.
Our Board Members
Akangshya Bordoloi
I am an Assamese Indian sociological researcher who specialises in Southern Decolonial Feminist social policy and Gender-based violence. I completed my PhD at the Department of Sociology, Maynooth University, exploring the lived dynamics between Female sex workers and the activism they practise while negotiating with the Regulatory model in Delhi, India. I was awarded the John and Pat Hume Doctoral Scholarship, the Department of Sociology Teaching Fellowship, the National University of Ireland Travelling Scholarship and the Laura-Bassi Scholarship for my PhD. I hold a Professional Certificate in Teaching and Learning and have 5 years of Experience Lecturing and supervising students in the Department of Sociology, Maynooth University; the Department of Politics, Trinity College Dublin; and the Department of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, Dublin City University. I am also involved in teaching and guiding students with their academic writing in association with Student Skills and Success, Maynooth University along with assisting them in their career and placements through the Placements office in Maynooth University.
Basira Paigham
Basira Paigham is an Afghan Muslim queer activist, independent researcher, and MA graduate in International Development. She is a teaching assistant in Global Development at Maynooth University and the executive director of Rainbow Afghanistan, leading advocacy and support for LGBTQ+ communities. Born and raised in Afghanistan, she has been active in queer rights since 2015, establishing online platforms to raise awareness and provide safe spaces. She was recognized as one of the BBC’s 100 most influential women. Her research and commentary have been featured internationally, including OutRight International, Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, Routed Magazine, RTÉ, The Irish Times, and Zan Times.
Jaffer Khan
My name is Jaffer. I am a law graduate from Pakistan and currently pursuing an LL.M. in International and European Business Law. My academic and professional journey is driven by a strong commitment to human rights, social justice, and community service. I am dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, defending individuals against abuse, and supporting initiatives that provide assistance, rescue, and relief to those in need.
Alongside my legal studies, I actively work to bridge gaps between the Asian and Irish communities by acting as a mediator and advocate for dialogue, understanding, and inclusion. I believe meaningful engagement and cooperation are essential to addressing social challenges and building stronger, more cohesive communities.
I see law as a powerful tool for protecting dignity, ensuring accountability, and empowering vulnerable individuals. Through advocacy, volunteering, and continuing legal education, I aim to contribute to the protection of human rights and community development at both the local and international levels, while upholding ethical values and respect for diversity.
Md Zobayer Hossain
Md Zobayer Hossain is a strategic leader and cybersecurity professional. Originally from Bangladesh, now based in Dublin. As a Board Member of Asian & Irish Community Connect, he brings a wealth of experience in governance,
Having previously served as both a Chairperson and Vice President for a major technical and student organisation.
Currently pursuing a postgrad in Dublin, Ireland. Zobayer is a highly active volunteer within the Dublin community. He is deeply committed to being a voice for those who feel unheard and is always ready to step up as a representative for those in need. He believes that true leadership is about service and standing in solidarity with others.
Zobayer is passionate about fostering “dual identity” pride—ensuring that the Asian community in Ireland thrives through strong advocacy, intergenerational connection, and meaningful representation.
Sai Gujulla
Sai Gujulla is a Galway-based community advocate and Peace Commissioner for County Galway. He is known for his FOI-driven work on public transport, housing, derelict and vacant properties, fuel prices, and community safety, using evidence and data to push for accountability and practical solutions. Sai regularly engages the public through local media, community initiatives, and public forums, with a strong focus on inclusion, equality, and local decision-making.
Sundas Khan
Born and raised in Germany with a South Asian heritage, Sundas has long navigated the complexities of living between cultures, a journey that shaped her interest in identity and belonging. For her undergraduate Psychology dissertation, she explored how second-generation European South Asian Muslim women make sense of their identities, reflecting her commitment to highlighting the complexity of dual identity experiences.
Having lived in Ireland for the past 17 years and proudly calling it her home, Sundas has become a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. She has been working for the past several years in the domestic violence sector, providing trauma-informed support to survivors. Her frontline experience has made her familiar with the Irish legal and court systems and domestic‑violence-related policies, while deepening her awareness of the cultural stigma and barriers many Asian women face when seeking safety.
Sundas is currently pursuing an MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology at DCU, with a focus on employee wellbeing, inclusive practices, and psychologically safe workplaces.
As a board member of AICC, she brings specialised expertise in domestic violence and a strong commitment to culturally sensitive, community-led approaches. She aims to support the development of safe, accessible, and respectful environments for Asian communities across Ireland
Celebrating Asian and Irish Heritage 