JGU Vice Chancellor receives STAR Scholars Lighthouse Leadership Award
The STAR Scholars Network conferred its distinguished Lighthouse Leadership Award upon Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU. The Award celebrates his exceptional contributions to global higher education, academic leadership, and institution-building. The award ceremony was held on March 24 in Washington, D.C.
The Lighthouse Leadership Award, instituted by the Society of Transnational Academic Researchers (STAR) Scholars Network, is a premier global honour recognising visionary leaders in academia. Inspired by the metaphor of a lighthouse as a guiding force in higher education, the award celebrates individuals whose leadership illuminates pathways for global scholarship, institutional innovation, academic collaboration, and social impact through education. The award underscores the transformative role of higher education in addressing global challenges and advancing knowledge for the public good.
Dr. Uttam Gaulee, President, STAR Scholars Network, observed, “The STAR Lighthouse Leadership Award is one of our highest global recognitions — reserved for leaders who illuminate pathways for higher education worldwide. In India, where institution-building carries immense scale and responsibility, what Vice Chancellor Professor C. Raj Kumar has achieved with JGU is truly transformational. He is not only building a world-class university but also positioning India at the centre of global academic leadership and discourse.
“Having worked closely with institution builders around the world, I know what it takes to build a university from scratch — and Professor C. Raj Kumar has done exactly that. His visionary leadership stands as a global model. As a leader of a worldwide scholarly community, I believe this is a story worth celebrating loudly — he did it, and he did it exceptionally well.”
Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said on receiving the award, “I am deeply honoured and privileged to accept this award on behalf of the 16,000 students and 4,000 faculty and staff of JGU. The journey of JGU that began in 2009 in a modest manner to become a truly world-class university, now after 17 years, has been possible because of the extraordinary contribution of the entire university community. I would like to acknowledge the leadership and contribution of our Founding Chancellor and benefactor, Mr. Naveen Jindal, for his deep and passionate commitment to academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and not-for-profit governance, all of which have shaped the evolution of JGU. On a personal note, I am grateful to my parents, teachers, and mentors, and my family members, including my wife and children, for having supported me in this journey that has culminated in this award that I accept on behalf of all of them.”
Recipients of the Lighthouse Leadership Award are seen as “guiding lights” whose work influences not only their own institutions but also the broader global academic ecosystem. Awardees are selected through a rigorous evaluation by the STAR Scholars Network’s leadership and advisory community. The Award is regarded as one of the highest recognitions presented by the STAR Scholars Network. The award reinforces the importance of leadership in building a more just, knowledge-driven, and interconnected world.
The STAR Scholars Network is a global non-profit academic community dedicated to advancing scholarly collaboration, promoting responsible research, supporting innovation in higher education, and strengthening global academic partnerships.
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