FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STAR Scholars Network Honors Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar with the Lighthouse Leadership Award
Baltimore, MD – March 2026 — The STAR Scholars Network is proud to announce that Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), has been selected as a recipient of the Lighthouse Leadership Award, a prestigious honor recognizing visionary global leaders whose work advances higher education, human rights, and international collaboration.
Prof. Kumar is an internationally respected legal scholar and academic leader whose work spans human rights, comparative constitutional law, governance, and higher education reform. A Rhodes Scholar, he has authored and edited numerous influential books and published extensively in leading international journals, contributing significantly to global scholarship and policy discourse.
As the founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, established in 2009, Prof. Kumar has played a transformative role in building one of India’s leading multidisciplinary universities. Under his leadership, JGU has achieved the status of an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India and has earned global recognition for its commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary research, and international engagement. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering a globally connected university ecosystem grounded in liberal arts education and innovation.
In addition to his institutional leadership, Prof. Kumar has worked with prominent international organizations, including the United Nations University (UNU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), contributing expertise on governance, human rights, and global policy development.
The Lighthouse Leadership Award celebrates individuals whose vision and impact serve as guiding lights in advancing education and global understanding. Prof. Kumar’s work exemplifies this mission through his sustained contributions to building inclusive, globally engaged institutions and advancing scholarship that addresses critical global challenges.
Prof. Kumar will be formally honored at a special award ceremony on March 24, 2026, at 9:00 AM at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The ceremony will bring together academic leaders, scholars, and partners from across the globe to celebrate his achievements and contributions to higher education.
For more information about the Lighthouse Leadership Award and the STAR Scholars Network, please visit: https://starscholars.org/lighthouse/
Media Contact: media@starscholars.org
STAR Scholars Network
About STAR Scholars Network
The STAR Scholars Network is a global academic community dedicated to advancing leadership, interdisciplinary research, international collaboration, and equitable access to knowledge. Through its conferences, publications, and leadership initiatives, STAR Scholars supports scholars and institutions worldwide in addressing complex global challenges.