The award recognizes the University`s monumental work in community engagement and social service - higher education making a change in the lives of people around the University campus. Don Bosco University won the award against stiff competition from the final shortlisted institutions across the Asia-Pacific region including Swinburne University of Technology (Australia), Fuzhou University (China), Melbourne Polytechnic (Australia), Singapore University of Technology (Singapore), University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia) and Australian Catholic University (Australia) . Pro-Vice Chancellor of Assam Don Bosco University, Fr. Joseph Nellanatt received the award, on behalf of the University, at a gala ceremony held at Taj Resort & Spa, Kochi, Kerala on January 10, 2020. The Vice Chancellor, Fr (Dr) Stephen Mavely, saw in the award ``a validation of the University`s engagement in `Service Learning` - a unique feature of Don Bosco University that integrates academic inputs, relevant community-centred activities followed and preceded by structured reflection in an intertwined partnership.`` Eminent Educationist in Northeast India Dr. Mavely stressed the fact saying, ``It [service learning program] combines a learning process that results in academic, civic and personal development while, at the same time, tackling the challenges affecting the wider society`` . The University was established in 2008.Don Bosco University is a project of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) executed by Don Bosco Society, Azara, Guwahati. Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati is the first University in India of the worldwide Don Bosco Society, present across 134 countries serving some 9 million young people. In October 2018, the University was awarded `University of the Year` (among universities in India in existence for 1-10 years) by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) at the 14th FICCI Higher Education Summit 2018 held in New Delhi. Last year, through the initiatives of International Association of Universities (IAU), the BBC Storyworks Production team came to the University and produced a video on how Don Bosco University researched, invented and built water purifier for the neighbouring villages. END