Krishna Savours Honorary Doctorate Award
AFijian school principal has been honoured with an honorary doctorate award in educational leadership by the International Internship University (IIU).
Swami Vivekananda College principal Dr Rajesh Krishna was proud to receive the award on Christmas Day (December 25).
The Lautoka native has been a teacher for 28 years and he continues to inspire, invent and motivate young people.
“I am happy to receive such a prestigious award on a global platform,” Mr Krishna said.
“This is the most prestigious and highest level award in education by the International Council for Educators (ICE) of International Internship University (IIU). I am extremely proud to receive this award.”
1. How important is this to you, your profession, career and the stakeholders you represent?
This award is very important to me because it recognises and appreciates my dedicated and exemplary contribution towards education, the nation and members of society.
This is one of my biggest achievements in my career to be awarded with the Honorary Doctorate Award in Educational Leadership. My stakeholders - Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, the school management, parents, teachers, former scholars and students - are all proud of my achievement. This strengthens the trust and confidence they have in my leadership. I have made an indelible mark for other leaders to follow and future generations to admire.
2. Talk about the award from your perspective?
Honorary degrees (usually, though not always, doctorates) are awarded by universities to recognise outstanding achievement in a particular field, or service to the broader community. An honorary degree may be offered to a person who has contributed significantly
to the cultural, scientific, and/or social development of the State or in the world. The contribution should be sustained over a period of years and should be lasting in nature.
I was selected for the Honoris Causa Award (Honorary Doctorate) 2022 by the International Council of Educators (ICE) of the International Internship University (IIU).
With online research polls and
selection team have shortlisted my profile for this prestigious Honoris Causa- 2022 by IIU.
The IIU recognised my exemplary contributions in education. It aims to actively reach out to all corners of the world to identify and recognise exceptional academic leaders who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession, demonstrated excellence in leading their school, shown outstanding contribution to learners and
served the community through their leadership.
This is the most prestigious award that highlights my contribution in community building and helping make a better society through inspirational educational leadership.
3. Who do you dedicate this award to and why?
I dedicate this award to my family, all my students and teachers with whom I have worked as a principal.
They were my inspiration and support. They had trust and confidence in my leadership and supported my vision towards quality education for a global society.
4. Talk about yourself. Where are you from and your education background and aspiration?
I want to be a 21st Century school leader promoting changes required to adequately prepare students for the world today and the future. I believe in strong collaborative leadership as the foundation for high academic achievement and more productive schools and students.
My goal to become an effective leader is grounded in the belief that people in all positions with different responsibilities have necessary and legitimate roles to play in developing a common vision for the school. We need to work together to guide the school enterprise toward that vision and empower, inspire and motivate others to work as a unified team towards a shared purpose which is the students’ achievement.
I have 28 years of teaching experience including 24 years in an educational leadership role. I have seven years of competent service with superior assessment as principal of some large secondary schools, five years as principal of medium secondary schools, one year as vice-principal, four years as assistant principal and seven years as head of department (HOD).
During this period, I have provided educational and professional leadership for the enhancement of improved staff and student performance.
My goal to become an effective leader is grounded in the belief that people in all positions with different responsibilities have necessary and legitimate roles to play in developing a common vision for the school. We need to work together to guide the school enterprise toward that vision and empower, inspire and motivate others to work as a unified team towards a shared purpose which is the students’ achievement Dr Rajesh Krishna Swami Vivekananda College principal