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. Bova Rufo
Technical and Career
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Amazing Feedback
“Greatest”
2. R. Scott Kemp
Engineering
MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Amazing Feedback
“Prof. Kemp is the best professor I've had at MIT. He doesn't just teach you stuff, he teaches you how to think.”
3. Arthur Brooks
Harvard University
Amazing Feedback
“Professor Arthur Brooks is hands-down one of the best professors I’ve had at Harvard. This class was genuinely life-changing. Dr. Brooks doesn’t just teach about happiness, leadership, and human flourishing — he embodies it. Every lecture felt like a masterclass in wisdom delivered with warmth, humor, and zero pretension. He has this incredible ability to blend rigorous research (he drops data and studies effortlessly) with deeply personal stories that actually stick with you. What sets him apart is how approachable and caring he is. Despite his massive reputation, he remembers students’ names, stays after class to chat, and seems truly invested in how you’re doing. His feedback on papers was thoughtful and encouraging — he actually wants you to grow. I left every single class feeling more hopeful about life, work, and my future. The concepts we covered (especially the science of happiness and building meaning) have already helped me in my personal life and internships. If you’re even remotely considering one of his courses, take it. You will not regret it. Easily one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had in college. Thank you, Professor Brooks!”
Honoring United Kingdom's Professors
1. Lorenzo Santorelli
Biology
University of Surrey
Amazing Feedback
“Helpful as a tutor. As long as you are not an iPad child that can't take 40 minutes without your phone, you will enjoy his lectures. Clear, coherent and enthusiastic. Good at his job”
2. Hamza Shakeel
Engineering
The Queen's University Belfast
Amazing Feedback
“Encourages deep understanding and curiosity. Exam too hard though”
3. Steve Minton
Psychology
University of Plymouth
Amazing Feedback
“Steve is an absolute goat such a class professor”
Honoring Australia's Professors
1. Toivo (Kim) Tuovinen
Education
Charles Sturt University
Amazing Feedback
“Kim is the lecturer for HSIE/HASS curriculum subjects. Absolutely awesome lecturer”
2. Andrew Jamieson
University of Melbourne
Amazing Feedback
“Creates a positive and welcoming vibe. Very fun. Loved how he played music before the lecture. My friends and I all looked forward to seeing what song would be played next, it really set the mood for the day.”
3. Ben Hamblin
Curtin University
Amazing Feedback
“A great teaching assistant who goes out of his way to help students understand concepts clearly and logically”
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!”