Each year, the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) recognises an individual from the Asian or global ODL community who, over a long period of time, has made outstanding contributions in the areas of open and distance education.

The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Professor Kanwar by the President of AAOU, Professor Yuk-Shan Wong, during the 28th AAOU annual conference, on Wednesday, 29 October 2014. The Conference was hosted by the Open University of Hong Kong and was held from 28-30 October 2014 in Hong Kong, China.

“Prof. Kanwar celebrates learner diversity, supports and empowers learners in their own learning. She has spent more than 30 years of her life contributing to the growth of higher education and has assumed many roles in teaching, research and administration. She has dedicated her life to improving and widening access to higher education as well as bringing quality and affordable education to all, in particular the working adults in the Commonwealth countries….the naming of Prof. Asha Kanwar as this year’s distinguished recipient of the AAOU Meritorious Service Award is therefore an appropriate acknowledgement and recognition of Prof. Kanwar’s remarkable achievements as a visionary, dynamic leader in open distance learning education. May she continue to be an inspiration to all who seek to uphold the quality and standards of higher education.’

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