In recognition of his contribution to community services, particularly the settlement of Bhutanese refugees in Canada, educationist Tikaram Adhikari has been honored with this year’s prominent Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

The Medal stands as a tangible way for Canada to honor her majesty for her service to Canada. At the same time, it will serve to honor contributions and achievements made by Canadians, who represent the full breadth of our society.

The honor is a commemorative medal created in 2011 to mark the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II.

Who is Tikaram Adhikari?
Educationist Adhikari, who has been residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba of Canada, holds a Masters in Economics from Punjab University, India; Master of Natural Resources Management from University of Manitoba; and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from University of London.

He has been working as part-time instructor at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg for the last 10 years teaching economics and various international development studies courses including Theories and Methods of Program Planning and Evaluation as part of newly developed Master of Development Practice.

Currently, he works full-time as Career Coach and Facilitator at Manitoba Start assisting new Canadians settle and integrate into Canadian life as he continues teaching at the post-secondary institutions.

His passion is assisting all newcomers including Bhutanese refugees settle in the new homelands, developing cross-cultural understanding among people and promotion of peace and understanding among diverse group of people through peaceful co-existence. Global citizenship, adult education, social justice and promotion of human rights and human values underpin his work in social service provision and development.

He was a Visiting Research Fellow of Asian Scholarship Foundation (funded by Ford Foundation) on youth development policy in the Philippines. He worked as a Consultant on Monitoring and Evaluation of Community-Based Development Program of Aga Khan Foundation, India; Policy Analyst with Manitoba Government, Canada; facilitated development of faculty research funding proposals at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba and worked as consultant on socio-economic projects in Bhutan.

While in Bhutan, he taught Economics and Education courses to undergraduate and graduate student teachers for over nine years at the National Institute of Education, Economics at Yangchenphug High School and worked as Program Officer for Save the Children/USA for three years.

He had co-authored two economics textbooks in Bhutan (1996 & 1998) and that these books were used in the school curricular until last year and also taught economics to King Jigme Khesar when he was in grade 11 and 12.