Chakdaha, Nov. 29: In a significant nod to West Bengal’s academic excellence, Tanmay Sanyal, an Assistant Professor of Zoology at Krishnagar Government College, has been conferred with the prestigious Global Teacher Award on Saturday. Sanyal is one of only 34 educators selected worldwide this year for the honour, which recognises pedagogical innovation and an unwavering commitment to student inspiration.
The award, instituted by AKS Education Awards, was presented at a ceremony in Gurgaon by His Excellency Vakhtang Jaoshvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India, alongside AKS CEO Dinesh Kamra.
Reflecting on the milestone, the 41-year-old academic remained modest. “I owe this award to my students,” Sanyal told The NfN. “They accepted my madness and joined me in materialising ideas that often felt unconventional.”
A Pedagogy of ‘Low-Cost’ Innovation
A resident of Chakdaha in Nadia District, Sanyal’s journey began in the classrooms of a high school in Phulia. Over the years, he has earned a reputation for a teaching philosophy he describes as “Local to Global.” He is particularly known for championing “No Cost or Low Cost” model-making, a method that encourages students to use accessible materials to build scientific models, thereby democratising research and sparking curiosity without financial barriers. His personal research remains deeply rooted in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and wildlife awareness.
From Classrooms to Clinical Solutions
Sanyal’s impact extends beyond the lecture hall into the realm of medical technology. He was a key member of a ten-person Indo-Danish scientific team that developed Susoka, a pioneering mobile application designed to screen for beta-thalassemia carriers.
The app, whose name is derived from the Japanese phrase for “action to explore”, utilises an algorithm to analyse five specific haematological parameters from a standard blood count. By computing threshold values for HB%, MCV, MCH, RBC, and RDW, the tool helps identify individuals who require further HPLC testing, as mandated by the ICMR.
Cultivating Biodiversity
At Krishnagar Government College, Sanyal’s influence is visible in the very soil of the campus. He was instrumental in establishing a butterfly garden and reintroducing indigenous heritage flora
such as Tamal and Jarul.
“He inspired us to create wall murals to propagate biodiversity conservation,” said Samanjay Mukherjee, a third-semester BSc student. “He constantly pushes us to look past the margins of our textbooks.”
Another student, Guruprosad Ghosh, noted Sanyal’s focus on practical ecology: “Whether it is managing solid waste or utilizing local wetlands, he teaches us to find value in what others consider waste.”
A Legacy of Learning
Sanyal’s commitment to the “learner’s mindset” is further evidenced by his role as an adjunct professor at Noble International University, Canada, and his editorship of Urmi, a magazine that bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and Bengali literature.
Principal Debnath Palit, who recommended Sanyal for the global honour, expressed immense pride in the achievement. “It is a moment of great joy for the entire faculty and student body. Over his six years here, Professor Sanyal has proven himself to be a truly deserving recipient of such international acclaim.”
Joining Sanyal on the global stage this year is Jhuma Patra, an educator from Asansol, making them the only two recipients from West Bengal to receive the award in this cycle.