Washington: Dr. Rahul Vishwanath Karad, Executive President of MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, has been conferred with the 2025 Global Business and Interfaith Peace Award at a prestigious international forum held in Washington, D.C.

The award was presented during the inaugural IRF Builders Forum and Roger Williams IRF Awards Dinner, organized by the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat. The two-day event brought together global leaders and institutions committed to fostering religious freedom and interfaith dialogue.

Instituted in 2016 in partnership with the UN Global Compact and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Business for Peace initiative, the award has previously honoured top corporate leaders from Intel, Tyson Foods, American Airlines, and Godrej Industries. Past ceremonies have been held in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Seoul, and New Delhi.

Dr. Karad was recognized for his leadership at MIT-WPU and his efforts to promote peace education that integrates values, dialogue, and skills. A notable contribution has been the university's six-credit Peace Studies program, through which over 85,000 students are engaging with the teachings of various religions, aimed at nurturing interfaith understanding.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Karad paid tribute to his father, Dr. Vishwanath Karad, founder of MIT-WPU and the architect of the World Peace Dome — a monument that features statues of 54 spiritual and philosophical leaders from all major faiths.

“This is the sacred land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha,” Dr. Karad said. “My father is the true champion of world peace. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda's vision of unifying science and spirituality, he devoted his life to this mission.”

Dr. Karad invited global leaders to visit the World Peace Dome in Pune and participate in MIT-WPU's continuing efforts to build a more peaceful and inclusive world through education.

About MIT-WPU:
MIT World Peace University, Pune, is a premier institution of higher learning in India, with a legacy of over 43 years, dedicated to blending academic excellence with values-driven education.