Blitz Bureau
The World Academy of Higher Education and Development (W-AHEAD) celebrated World Teachers’ Day 2024 at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, in conjunction with the Higher Education Summit 2024. The event honored distinguished educators and professionals with the Fellow of Eminence Award for their exceptional contributions to nation-building and global community service.
The event was graced by Ram Nath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, as the Chief Guest. Prof Priyaranjan Trivedi, Executive Chairman of W-AHEAD, delivered the welcome address, while Prof PB Sharma, President of W-AHEAD, presided over the function. A host of eminent academicians, scholars, corporate professionals, faculty members, and students from prestigious institutions like Delhi University and renowned Delhi schools attended the event.
In his address, Ram Nath Thakur emphasized the longstanding tradition of reverence for teachers in Indian culture, stating, “Teachers are the torchbearers of society, shaping the future of mankind.” He expressed his delight at the global recognition of World Teachers’ Day, celebrating the vital role educators play in mentoring future generations. The Minister also urged university faculty to give their utmost in nurturing students to become global citizens.
The event saw the release of several important publications by W-AHEAD, including the book Research for Development: Translating the Vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 into a Reality, as well as Viswestariya Viswavidyalaya Kaisa Ho. A third book, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, published by CIU and IIPGS, was also unveiled.
The highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of the Fellow of Eminence Awards, recognizing educators and leaders for their lifelong service. Among the recipients were: Prof Prem Vrat, Chairman BoG, IIT Dhanbad, and founding Director, IIT Roorkee, Prof Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor, GGSIPU, Dr Prateek Sharma, Vice Chancellor, DTU, Dr Onkar Singh, Vice Chancellor, UKTU Dehradun, Prof Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, AIU, Prof DN Reddy, former Vice Chancellor, JNTU, Dr Markandey Rai, President, Global Peace Foundation India, Dr Saroj Bala, President, Scientific Research on Vedas , Dr T Padenga, Chancellor, Afrisol Group of Institutions, Zimbabwe, Dr VK Yadav, former Chairman, Railway Board, Dr Mangu Singh, former MD, Delhi Metro, Er Pradeep Chaturvedi, Chairman, Indian National Academy of Engineers, Delhi Section, Er SN Tripathi, Regional Executive Director (Hydro), NTPC Noida, Raj Kumar Chaudhary, CMD, NTPC, Er Dinesh Kumar, former E-In-C, PWD Delhi, Rakesh Srivastava, Founder President, Innovative Prosthetics and Orthodontists, Nebraska, USA
Additional Fellow of Eminence Awards were conferred in absentia to: Dr VK Saraswat, Member, Niti Aayog, and former Director General of DRDO, Dr Kumar Krishen, former NASA Chief Technologist and Exceptional Service Medal Recipient, Dr Raj K Tiwari, Professor and Program Director, New York Medical College, USA, Er Prabhakar Singh, former Director General, CPWD, Prof Deepak Dwivedi, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Blitz India Media Group, Rtn Dr Ravinder Gugnani, Rotary International District Governor 25-26 , Dr Anoop Swarup, former Vice Chancellor, Jagran University, and Chairman, Global Network .
The summit was chaired by Er Dinesh Kumar, Former E-In-C, PWD Delhi, and organized by Dr HRP Yadav, Former Director General, IE(I), and Secretary, IE(I) Delhi.
In his welcome address, Prof Priyaranjan Trivedi spoke about the critical role universities play in shaping a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future, urging the audience to advance the “Master Plan for the Universities of Tomorrow.” He emphasized the need for universities to be engines of innovation and sustainability to realize the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Prof PB Sharma, President of W-AHEAD, underscored the importance of transformative leadership in universities, advocating for the integration of education and research, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation. “To build the India of our dreams,” Prof Sharma said, “universities must focus not only on knowledge creation but on nurturing responsible citizens and promoting research that leads to societal impact.”
The event was a grand celebration of educators’ contributions and a platform for envisioning the future of higher education in India and beyond.
