Irena van Nynatten-Janikowska honoured for outstanding contributions to education and global citizenship
The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences proudly announces that Irena van Nynatten-Janikowska has been awarded the prestigious Royal Honours Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to education, international collaboration, and global citizenship.
For more than fifteen years, Van Nynatten-Janikowska has been a driving force behind honours education at the Faculty of Business and Economics. She has been championing excellence, diversity, and ethical leadership. Her work has had a global reach, notably through the development of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects and strategic partnerships with universities in the United States, New Zealand, Poland, Mexico, Japan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
She was instrumental in founding the Nobel Peace Initiative – Partners in Peace, an alliance of institutions committed to advancing global harmony. In 2024, her dedication to fostering dialogue and promoting social justice was recognized with an International Award.
Beyond academia, Van Nynatten-Janikowska has been actively engaged with organizations such as the International Criminal Court, Hunger Free America, and various sustainability initiatives, embodying her belief that education should drive meaningful action and create lasting change.
Her visionary leadership has empowered generations of students to think critically, act ethically, and lead with purpose. This Royal Decoration celebrates her lifelong commitment to education, peace, and global citizenship.