Northern Illinois Announces Winners of Prestigious International Education Honours

During International Education Week, Northern Illinois University named the recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to International Education Award 2025, a recognition for individuals and departments for their magnanimous involvement in global learning.

As per the Division of International Affairs, this year's NIU international education awards underwent deliberation on the individuals who had helped promote international understanding in the areas of teaching and research and in support of student interests. Awardees for international education awards included the Centre for Burma Studies, Chih-Chen Lee, Chynar Amanova, Aline Niyogusenga, and Abigail Tetteh.

University officials described the International Education Faculty Awards 2025 as a reflection of the historic global engagement of NIU. The awards were in line with the continuing thrust of the international education award ceremony at NIU in recognising its staff, faculty, and students who contributed to raising awareness of the value of international learning. The Centre for Burma Studies received this departmental award because of its international conferences, its research, and its exhibitions. The centre continues to bring attention to itself by enriching the international curriculum and bringing scholars from different countries together. Its directors, past and present, have made significant contributions and are committed to cross-cultural work. The officials noted that these efforts go to buttress NIU's title in international education excellence awards and, of course, to the contributions to world scholarship.

That said, Chih-Chen Lee took home the greatest honour in international education, leading NIU's Global Learning Opportunities in the College of Business for many, many years. It was said that she developed courses that would correlate with the academic learning exposure through real-life study abroad experiences. Her work across Europe, Asia, and Australia was cited as notable work in her standing among the award winners of Outstanding International Educator. Supporters also mentioned that her long service to international student groups has made her a well-respected leader in NIU's global community.

Chynar Amanova was recognised for her continuing mentorship of international doctoral students as well. Reportedly, more than twenty students across many departments had been guided by her. Research project support and contributions to promoting cultural understanding on campus were also part of her activities. One truly great example of true global education contribution recognition, as well as a strong model for internationalisation awards in education.

Both Aline Niyogusenga and Abigail Tetteh won the student awards. Niyogusenga, an undergraduate psychology student, received her honour for serving every week volunteering with study abroad ambassador activities. Her award, referred to as the Aline Niyogusenga international education award, showcased how student voices were a strong part of NIU's global programs. Tetteh, a PhD student in political science, was rewarded for her research as well as for leading student organisations and for her efforts to foster the adaptation of new international students. This role and her involvement across events were some of the factors for her nomination as a recipient of the NIU 2025 international education award.

The purpose of the International Education Awards 2025, according to the university, was to celebrate in all categories those who contributed to developing NIU as a global institution. The tradition of international education awards at NIU has always focused on recognising individuals who foster intercultural learning; the criteria for Outstanding Contribution to International Education awards are impact, leadership, and long-term service. Thus, it could be stated that the awards for international education were 2025, far-reaching by nature, because every recipient had made meaningful impacts on the community of NIU due to his/her various stories. They were a part of the much greater effort that was to show how NIU recognises outstanding contributions to international education, while at the same time being strong examples to future generations of students and staff.

Editor’s Note:

This special feature highlights the ongoing efforts of Northern Illinois University to honour the people who strengthen its global community. The Outstanding Contribution to International Education Award 2025 affirms that international education is not merely about travelling abroad; it is also about building understanding, respect, and sharing knowledge on the campus where one finds oneself. This year's NIU international education awards of 2025 tell simple yet powerfully impactful stories. First, strong international programs grow cooperatively between the staff, faculty, and students. Secondly, real change comes when people offer steady support over many years. Thirdly, these awards tell us that international education is informed by academic excellence and human compassion. From the Centre for Burma Studies, the faculty mentors, and student leaders, these awardees portray different forms of global engagement. Some engage by research; others, in teaching; many others, in mentoring, guiding, and supporting

Skoobuzz mentions that this recognition encourages more students and staff to participate in international activities. As NIU advances its global efforts, these award winners exemplify how insignificant actions can bring about a huge impact through continuity and communication.

FAQs

1. Which is the biggest award for education in India?

One of the most respected and widely recognised awards in India is the National Award to Teachers, given by the Government of India. It honours teachers who show outstanding work in improving education. It is often considered one of the highest national honours in the education sector.

2. What is the International Excellence Award in India?

The International Excellence Award in India is a recognition given to individuals, organisations or institutions that show outstanding achievements in areas such as education, business, arts or social service. It celebrates global-level performance and aims to highlight work that has international impact and quality.

3. What are the Illinois International Education Recognition Awards?

These awards are honours given by universities or educational bodies in Illinois to acknowledge people who support global learning. For example, Northern Illinois University (NIU) presents the Outstanding Contribution to International Education Awards, which recognise faculty, staff, departments and students who promote international understanding through teaching, research and service.

4. Who are the international education winners at Northern Illinois?

At NIU, the 2025 international education award winners included:

• Centre for Burma Studies – Outstanding Department Contribution

• Chih-Chen Lee – Outstanding International Educator

• Chynar Amanova – Outstanding Staff Contribution

• Aline Niyogusenga – Outstanding Student Contribution

• Abigail Tetteh – Outstanding Student Contribution

These recipients were honoured for their positive impact on NIU’s global community.

5. Who won the Global Impact Award in 2025?

The “Global Impact Award" depends on the organisation presenting it, as many institutions use this title. In the context of NIU and its international awards in 2025, the university did not list a Global Impact Award that year. Different global organisations may have their own winners.