October 26, 2026
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.
The professoriate sits at the intersection of teaching and discovery — a dual role that few other professions carry.
Professors prepare the doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders every society depends on.
University research led by professors underpins advances in medicine, technology, and policy.
PhD candidates and early-career academics grow under the guidance of experienced professors.
As trusted experts, professors bring evidence and rigor to the issues shaping our world.
Four meaningful ways students, institutions, and communities can mark October 26.
Send a personal message, email, or handwritten note to a professor who shaped your thinking or career. Be specific about the impact they had.
Amplify a professor’s research, publication, or teaching online with #InternationalProfessorsDay so their contribution reaches a wider audience.
Put forward an outstanding professor for a faculty, teaching-excellence, or research award within your institution or discipline.
Encourage talented students to consider the professoriate, and help institutions across the world attract and retain world-class faculty.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Chenyu You
Computer Science
SUNY Stony Brook University
Erstaunliches Feedback
“A highly dedicated professor and mentor who creates a positive and intellectually stimulating environment.”
2. Chenyu You
Computer Science
SUNY Stony Brook University
Erstaunliches Feedback
“An excellent professor who is knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in students’ success.”
3. Paul Kim
History
Central Piedmont Community College
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“Professor Paul Kim is an exceptional educator who truly brings history to life. His genuine and relatable personality makes his lectures incredibly easy to follow, and it is clear that he cares deeply about the success of his students. His infectious passion for the subject transforms every class into an engaging and enjoyable learning experience. Highly recommended.”
Honoring United Kingdom's Professors
1. David Johnson
Durham University
Erstaunliches Feedback
“Fantastic Prof. Loved his class!”
2. Mhairi Copland
University of Glasgow
Erstaunliches Feedback
“MARK DRUMMAND AT BEATSON CANCER WAS AMAZING pity he is retired now MHAIRA CANTCOPELAND should stick to research if she wants to help people its amazing that someone like mhaira can be in charge of a whole department whos lives depend on her .”
3. Mhairi Copland
University of Glasgow
Erstaunliches Feedback
“MARK DRUMMAND AT BEATSON CANCER WAS AMAZING pity he is retired now MHAIRA CANTCOPELAND should stick to research if she wants to help people its amazing that someone like mhaira can be in charge of a whole department whos lives depend on her”
Honoring Australia's Professors
1. Russell Conduit
RMIT University
Erstaunliches Feedback
“He is so patient, kind and understanding when I was really struggling with advanced statistics. I ended up getting a HD average for the hardest class because of his willingness to help me get there and reframe things as many times as needed for me to understand. You can tell he was really born to be an educator.”
2. Fida Hasan
University of New South Wales
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“Fida is a highly effective professor who uses a variety of methods in the classroom. The assessments are challenging without being excessively difficult. The only catch is that you really need to attend class in person to get the most out of the lessons.”
3. David Ascher
Chemistry
University of Queensland
Erstaunliches Feedback
“Brings enthusiasm and expertise to class. Loved his BIOT7060 class today”
Honoring Canada's Professors
1. Wafa Qasim
Mathematics
Centennial College
Erstaunliches Feedback
“This professor understands that some students do not know anything in math or are weak in math, like myself. She helped me and many other students to understand many basic concepts by offering us one-on-one sessions out of the class time. professor wafa can help you but she wants you to work hard to learn and pass. she doesn't allow cheating in the tests. I find this good and respect her. May be some students don't like this because nobody follow when they use cells.”
2. Wafa Qasim
Mathematics
Centennial College
Erstaunliches Feedback
“I'm asking the School of Mathematics: since you have such a knowledgeable math professor why you don't assign her to more math courses such as Calculus, Differential equations, Linear algebra, and more. Do you know she's the most teacher who fights against cheating and the use of cellphones in the tests, whereas I had a teacher who allowed us to open our notes and use our cellphones in the test! I wish she teaches me more courses.”
3. Yannan Wang
University of Guelph
Erstaunliches Feedback
“A true mentor who cares about success. Made me into the man I am today.”