O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has been honoured with the 2025 Global Education for Peace Award by the STAR Scholars Network, recognising its role in championing peace through higher education. The announcement coincided with the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, reinforcing the importance of education as a tool for building a just, inclusive, and sustainable world.
The Global Education for Peace Award celebrates higher education institutions worldwide that significantly contribute to promoting global peace through their teaching, research, and engagement. It acknowledges universities that integrate global perspectives into academic programmes, nurture intercultural dialogue, foster empathy, and cultivate ethical leadership in times marked by growing polarisation and conflict.
JGU was selected through a rigorous global evaluation process that assessed the depth, breadth, and impact of institutions’ efforts in advancing peace. Submissions were reviewed for innovation in curriculum, effectiveness of teaching methods, and the extent of international collaboration and community participation. According to Professor John C. Weidman, Emeritus Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and Chair of the Award Selection Committee, JGU’s initiatives serve as “a model for how universities worldwide can integrate peace, justice, and sustainability into the heart of their educational mission.”
This year, JGU shares the recognition with the American University in the Emirates (UAE), with both institutions being hailed as symbols of hope and inspiration. Their selection underscores the transformative role of universities in shaping global citizens, promoting ethical leadership, and bridging divides through education.
The award highlights JGU’s globally connected academic vision, marked by over 550 international collaborations and a curriculum that emphasises ethical leadership, interdisciplinary learning, and community engagement. These initiatives reflect the university’s mission to prepare students as compassionate global citizens capable of addressing complex challenges through knowledge, cooperation, and dialogue.
Professor (Dr) Uttam Gaulee, President of the STAR Scholars Network, described the honour as a celebration of “the transformative power of education as the most peaceful revolution the world has ever known.” Naveen Jindal, Chancellor of JGU, said the award was “a testament to JGU’s unwavering belief that education is the greatest catalyst for peace,” while Vice Chancellor Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar noted that it reaffirmed the university’s founding ideals of dialogue, empathy, and collective wisdom.
As the university marks this milestone on the International Day of Peace, it has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing knowledge, nurturing compassion, and shaping leaders to contribute to a more just and sustainable future.
