IAUP recognizes outstanding contributions to higher education through its awards program. These honors celebrate academic excellence, innovation, leadership, and service to the global community.
The IAUP Faculty Achievement Award was created to honor faculty members who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in teaching, research, service, and leadership within their universities and communities.
Significant contributions to research and scholarly work
Recipients exemplify IAUP’s mission of advancing international understanding and educational excellence, serving as role models for the global higher education community.
Named in honor of Dr. J. William Adams, a distinguished past leader of IAUP, the Adams Award recognizes university presidents who have shown exceptional leadership, innovation, and service at both the institutional and international levels.
Distinguished service as a university president, rector, or chancellor
Demonstrated commitment to international
Leadership that promotes peace, sustainability, and academic excellence
The Adams Award reflects IAUP’s deep appreciation for those who lead with vision, courage, and global responsibility. It highlights the legacy of past leaders while inspiring future generations of higher education executives.
Do you know a faculty member or university leader who deserves international recognition? Submit a nomination to celebrate their achievements.
Over the years, IAUP has honored faculty and university leaders whose work has advanced higher education globally. Past recipients of the IAUP Faculty Achievement Award and the Adams Award have represented diverse regions, disciplines, and leadership traditions.
Winner: Ramu Damodaran
Year: 2021
Title: Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)
The Board of Directors of the IAUP unanimously agreed to confer the J. Michael Adams award to Ramu Damodaran during the 2021 Triennial Conference of the IAUP, held virtually from July 29-31, 2021.
Damodaran served as Director for the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), an organization that under his leadership fostered a diverse and vibrant global network comprising over 1,600 member institutions spanning more than 150 countries, impacting over 25 million individuals in the fields of education and research, and serving as a hub of innovative solutions and ideas that help advance the Sustainable Development Goals across different latitudes and disciplines.
Winner: Allan E. Goodman
Year: 2017
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of International Education (IIE.)
The Board of Directors of the IAUP unanimously agreed to confer the J. Michael Adams award to Allan E. Goodman during the 2017 Vienna, Austria, Triennial Conference of the IAUP.
Allan E. Goodman has recognized the role of university presidents and chancellors in the rescuing of scholars threatened by conflict and in supporting developing international education worldwide, He has spent countless hours of efforts to support the cause of international education globally, promoting a diplomatic approach to establish a Scholars’ Rescue Fund, to increase the numbers of American students going abroad and the participatiuon of international students in USA higher education institutions, and He has supported various programs through the Institute of International Education (IIE) for all countries of the world for the benefit of students, faculty, researchers and threatened scholars in a devoted manner, and Allan E. Goodman has played a key role in advancing the cause of peace and international education, including the support of developing nations throughout the world through his dedicated efforts and service.
