October 26, 2026
Celebrating the People Who Shape Knowledge
International Professor's Day, observed each year on October 26, is a global recognition of the professors whose work powers higher education. Behind every graduate, every breakthrough, and every published discovery is a professor who taught, questioned, mentored, and persevered.
It is a day to move appreciation from the abstract to the personal — to name the educators who changed the trajectory of a career, and to renew World's collective commitment to a thriving academic community.
Why Professors Matter
The professoriate sits at the intersection of teaching and discovery — a dual role that few other professions carry.
They Educate Generations
Professors prepare the doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders every society depends on.
They Drive Discovery
University research led by professors underpins advances in medicine, technology, and policy.
They Mentor the Next Wave
PhD candidates and early-career academics grow under the guidance of experienced professors.
They Inform Public Debate
As trusted experts, professors bring evidence and rigor to the issues shaping our world.
How to Celebrate International Professor's Day
Four meaningful ways students, institutions, and communities can mark October 26.
1. Thank a professor directly
Send a personal message, email, or handwritten note to a professor who shaped your thinking or career. Be specific about the impact they had.
2. Share their work publicly
Amplify a professor’s research, publication, or teaching online with #InternationalProfessorsDay so their contribution reaches a wider audience.
3. Nominate them for recognition
Put forward an outstanding professor for a faculty, teaching-excellence, or research award within your institution or discipline.
4. Champion academic careers
Encourage talented students to consider the professoriate, and help institutions across the world attract and retain world-class faculty.
Recognize a professor publicly
A thoughtful, honest review is one of the most lasting tributes a student can leave. Celebrate the ones who made a difference on Rate My Professor, or explore the top-rated professors shaping World's classrooms.
International Professor's Day FAQs
When is International Professor's Day celebrated?
International Professor's Day is observed annually on October 26. The next observance falls on October 26, 2026. It is a global moment for students, institutions, and communities to recognize the lasting impact professors have on knowledge, research, and society.
What is the purpose of International Professor's Day?
The day exists to celebrate and thank professors for their dedication to teaching, mentorship, and the advancement of human knowledge. Professors do far more than deliver lectures — they supervise research, publish discoveries, guide early-career academics, and prepare each generation of graduates for the workforce.
Across the world, it is also an opportunity to highlight the value of academic careers and to encourage greater public and institutional support for higher education and faculty.
How can students get involved?
Students can write a thank-you note to a professor who made a difference, leave an honest, constructive review on Rate My Professor, nominate them for a teaching or research award, share a tribute on social media using #InternationalProfessorsDay, or simply attend a lecture with renewed appreciation. Small gestures of gratitude carry real meaning for the educators who invest in student success.
How can universities and colleges participate?
Institutions can host recognition ceremonies, feature faculty achievements across campus channels, fund teaching and research excellence awards, and spotlight the careers of standout academics. Promoting open faculty positions on the day is also a powerful way to signal an institution's commitment to building a world-class academic community.
Why do professors matter to society?
Professors are at the center of nearly every major advance in medicine, technology, policy, and culture. They train the doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders of tomorrow, and their research underpins innovation that improves lives globally. Recognizing them is recognizing the engine of long-term human progress.
How is this day different from World Teachers’ Day?
World Teachers' Day (October 5) honors educators across all levels of education. International Professor's Day focuses specifically on the higher-education professoriate — the academics who combine advanced teaching with original research and the supervision of postgraduate and early-career scholars.
Honor a Professor This October 26, 2026
Whether you thank a mentor, nominate a colleague, or help your institution attract world-class faculty — International Professor's Day is a chance to invest in the people who advance World's academic future.
AcademicJobs.com — Connecting talented academics with institutions worldwide.
Honoring United States' Professors
1. Valeria Ramdin
Health Science
Northeastern University
Amazing Feedback
“Phenomenal teacher. She changes your perspective for the better. Amazing experience as a student of hers.”
2. Georgios Spiliotopoulos
History
Montclair State University
Amazing Feedback
“Incredible. Brilliant”
3. Georgios Spiliotopoulos
History
Montclair State University
Amazing Feedback
“He is one of the best professor ever that I ever had. I recomend him a 100%”
Honoring United Kingdom's Professors
1. Chris Hooley
Physics
Coventry University
Amazing Feedback
“Makes learning engaging and enjoyable. He attended my university to give some guest lectures and he was better than any other lecturer I have had in the four years of being here. Give this man 5000/5 stars, he deserves the world and the biggest payrise imaginable.”
2. Masoud Akhtar
Biology
University of Birmingham
Amazing Feedback
“Makes learning feel effortless and fun. Best Doctor ever”
3. Antonio Borges
Philosophy
Nottingham University
Amazing Feedback
“Excellent at explaining complex concepts, seminars are great at encouraging us to do the readings and form opinions. Marking is harsh but fair, and comments are always insightful and helpful”
Honoring Australia's Professors
1. Jye Marshall
Education
RMIT University
Amazing Feedback
“Jye is brilliant — he has disrupted the delivery of the TAE. Jye has created a learning pathway that is practical, fun, real and accessible to all. I feel privileged to have been taught by Jye, and my current and future students will carry this legacy.”
2. Jye Marshall
Architecture and Design
Swinburne University of Technology
Amazing Feedback
“Jye was a great teacher. He takes a genuine interest with each student's progress and provides consistent encouragement. He was happy to answer all my questions as an absolute beginner and his smile makes the lab feel like a welcoming place.”
3. Lisa Olive
Deakin University
Amazing Feedback
“Such a great lecturer. Nurturing and inspiring”
Honoring Canada's Professors
1. Barbara Fellnermayr
Business & Economics
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Amazing Feedback
“Always positive and motivating in class. She gives examples to make the class easy to understand, and she is supportive to students in all ways of answering questions, catering for students' schedule, and encouraging students nicely etc. She is a great instructor, and it's a great learning experience with her!”
2. Dr. Suliman Hossin
Business & Economics
College of New Caledonia
Amazing Feedback
“He values lifelong learning and encourages us to pursue higher education. He is fair and motivating.”
3. Cher Hill
Education
Simon Fraser University
Amazing Feedback
“Always goes above and beyond for students. Knows the importance of community and not only teaches it, but models it. Brings us food and drinks every class! Passionate about her work and our success, not success in her class, but as teachers. Huge thank you Dr. Chill!”