Kenyan educationist Peter Tabichi received the Global Educator Award at a ceremony on Thursday at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia.

The accolade includes a research grant of approximately US$5,000, which Tabichi said will support further exploration of innovative teaching approaches.

Senior Malaysian officials attended, among them Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, while the awards were presented by Tuanku Zara Salim, Raja Permaisuri of Perak and UPSI chancellor.

Tabichi explained that the selection process attracted more than 450 applications worldwide, with a panel shortlisting 26 finalists for face‑to‑face interviews and presentations in Malaysia.

Judges evaluated candidates on both professional credentials and the consistency and lasting impact of their work, a factor Tabichi highlighted as crucial to his own selection.

Tabichi dedicated the award to teachers working in challenging environments, noting that the recognition underscores the broader societal value of educators beyond the classroom.

He plans to channel the grant and his heightened international profile into the Peter Tabichi Foundation and Teacher Craft initiatives, focusing on mentoring fellow teachers and sharing practical insights.

Tabichi first gained global attention in 2019 when he became the first African to win the US$1 million Global Teacher Prize while teaching mathematics and physics at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Nakuru County.