Provost Moudgil recognized with academic leadership award

By Katie Land, news editor

This December, Oakland University’s own Virinder Moudgil, senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, was awarded the 2009 Academic Leadership Award from the Michigan International Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber’s 12 awards recognized exceptional examples of leadership, community service, cultural awareness, support of diversity, and support of the mission of the chamber, according to Nipa Shah, founder of the MICC.

This is the first year the awards have been conferred, but they will now become an annual recognition. Originally titled the Michigan India Chamber of Commerce in 2007, it was rebranded in its current form to draw a wider audience.

“Dr. Moudgil was selected because he has impressive credentials, and is very involved in creating awareness about his Indian heritage within the local community, while also demonstrating exemplary work as the provost of Oakland University,” Shah said.

The MIICC recognizes exceptional leaders in the business, academic, and community arenas. Moudgil fulfills all three criteria as a leader through his work at Oakland, she continued.

Of particular note was this fall’s visit by Abdul Kalam, former president of India. Kalam spoke to a standing room only crowd of more than 1,000 people at OU’s O’rena in September. His message was that international cooperation can solve global problems.

Kalam stressed that youth and education are the most important factors in creating borderless cooperation between nations. International collaboration is the key to solving issues with climate change, energy, disease, economic turbulence and war.

“Dr. Moudgil, through his Provost position at Oakland U has promoted cultural awareness of international affairs,” Shah said. “His invitation to Dr. Kalaam, India's most noted Presidents' was recognized as a wonderful achievement.”