Dr. Sanduk Ruit receiving the STAR Humanitarian Award from Dr. Keith Wright. Mr. Tarun Paudel is seen in the middle facilitating the event.
Baltimore, MD | May 25, 2025 — In a moving ceremony held at Ramada Conference Center in Baltimore, the STAR Scholars Network presented its highest humanitarian honor to Dr. Sanduk Ruit, the world-renowned Nepali ophthalmologist celebrated for restoring sight and dignity to over 180,000 people across Asia and Africa. Dr. Ruit was recognized with the 2025 STAR Humanitarian Award for his pioneering, equity-centered work in global eye care and humanitarian medicine.
The award ceremony was led by Dr. Keith Wright, Vice President of the STAR Scholars Network and Chair of the A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Awards Committee. He was joined by Professor Benjamin Welsh, a distinguished professor of higher education at Morgan State University. The evening also welcomed STAR President Dr. Uttam Gaulee and Executive Vice President Dr. Krishna Bista, along with faculty, international scholars, and invited guests from various universities including Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University.
Dr. Wright began the ceremony with a powerful comparison:
“Dr. Noam Chomsky is to language what Dr. Sanduk Ruit is to eyesight. Both unlock deep human capacities—restoring not only function, but the profound human experience that flows from it.”
The STAR Humanitarian Award honors individuals and institutions whose innovative and transnational efforts promote global equity, humanitarian values, and scholarly engagement. Dr. Ruit’s life work—delivering low-cost, high-quality cataract surgery through the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology—has reached the most underserved populations, affirming the principles of justice and dignity in global health.
This special event was made possible through the facilitation of Nikita Paudel, a BA-MPP student at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs. A passionate advocate for international development and human rights, Ms. Paudel, originally from Nepal, exemplifies the next generation of globally engaged leaders. As the founder of Pyari, a menstrual health initiative in Nepal, and co-editor-in-chief of the Yale Human Rights Journal, she has been instrumental in fostering transnational networks rooted in justice and service. Her support was vital in coordinating Dr. Ruit’s visit to the U.S. and connecting him with global academic and policy communities.
As the audience stood in applause, Dr. Ruit accepted the commemorative plaque presented by Professor Welsh. During the event, Dr. Ruit reflected on the importance of access to care, innovation, and community empowerment. A brief video tribute highlighted his transformative work and international impact, with touching moments of peoples first reactions at the restoration of eyesight.
The program concluded with a traditional Nepali musical tribute, “Resham Firiri,” performed by Dr. Wright in honor of Dr. Ruit’s legacy and the enduring bonds between Nepal and the global scholarly community. Speaking after the ceremony, Dr. Gaulee offered a resonant tribute:
“Dr. Ruit is not only a healer of eyes—he is a healer of humanity. His work bridges continents, generations, and lives. In honoring him, we are reminded that scholarship and service must always walk hand in hand.”
Click here for more information about the award announcement.