Riya Muhamed Koya is an assistant professor of Psychology at Al-Shifa College of Arts and Science. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Pondicherry University. She has qualified the UGC NET (Psychology) examination in both June and December 2025 and the GATE Psychology examination in 2026, all on her first attempts.

She strives to make psychology accessible and meaningful by connecting theoretical concepts to students’ lived experiences while fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking, empathy, and reflective learning. Her academic interests include family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and the mental health of marginalized communities. She also focuses on critically engaging with dominant frameworks in psychology while exploring more contextual, humanistic, and existential approaches to mental health and well-being. She has gained practical exposure through internships in clinical and mental health settings and was actively involved in peer-support initiatives during her postgraduate studies.

General Information

• Full Name: Riya Muhamed Koya
• Designation: Assistant Professor
• Department: PG Department of Psychology
• Area of Specialization: Clinical Psychology
• Date of Joining: 02/06/2026
• LinkedIn URL: www.linkedin.com/in/riya-muhamed-koya

Academic Qualifications