Shiv Nadar School Noida Student Wins Asia-Pacific IB Community Inspiration Award

Mumbai, The International Baccalaureate (IB) proudly names Kayana Monga, a Diploma Programme (DP) student from Shiv Nadar School Noida in India, as the Asia-Pacific winner of its inaugural

Community Inspiration Award. This worldwide honor spotlights IB community members who drive the organization's mission and values through exceptional local impact.

Monga earned recognition for launching Project Muskan, a rural mental health program that has supported over 500 children near Delhi and flagged more than 40 instances of suicidal ideation, linking them to prompt professional help. Partnering with psychologists and community groups, she crafted targeted interventions for kids facing barriers to mental health care.

Her efforts have elevated children's mental health in India's policy arenas, earning nods from the Delhi Health Ministry and the Chief Minister, and highlighting the need for rural access. Monga has also contributed to UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children report and spearheaded projects in sustainability, Model United Nations, and service, showcasing impactful youth leadership.

On her award, Monga shared:“To receive this award is to be reminded that awareness carries obligation, and that meaningful change begins when care deepens into responsibility. For me, Project Muskan grew from my own experiences with anxiety into a way of ensuring that children in rural India are seen, heard, and supported without stigma or financial barriers. I hope this recognition encourages more young people to trust that their questions, compassion, and courage can drive real change in their communities.”

Mahesh Balakrishnan, IB Business Development Senior Manager for India and Nepal, commented:“Kayana embodies the very best of what an IB education aims to nurture: compassionate, reflective individuals who care deeply about their communities and apply their learning to create solutions that address broader societal challenges. Her work with Project Muskan shows remarkable leadership, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility. We are immensely proud of her, and we hope her example will inspire many more young people in India and across the region to see themselves as agents of change in their own contexts.”

The IB Community Inspiration Award honors one standout from each of its three regions – Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, Europe, Middle East (EMEA) – championing the collaborative, creative, and service-driven ethos of IB learning to motivate students and educators globally.

Kayana Monga will be celebrated at the Asia-Pacific IB Global Conference in Mumbai this March 2026.