Grad student receives Chicago Consular Corps Professional Development Award
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The 2025 Chicago Consular Corps Professional Development Award ceremony brought together students, faculty members, Chicago Consular Corps members, UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda, and Vice Provost for Global Engagement Professor Neal McCrillis to honor international students’ achievements and highlight UIC’s global commitment.
Department of Chemical Engineering PhD student Mehran Arzani received the 2025 Chicago Consular Corps Professional Development Award, which recognizes the academic achievements, leadership, and international engagement of students at UIC.
“The award provides both financial and symbolic support,” Arzani said. “Financially, it gives students the ability to pursue research, attend professional conferences, or invest in resources that enhance their academic journey. Symbolically, it recognizes students’ efforts and encourages them to continue striving for excellence. It fosters a sense of motivation, pride, and responsibility among awardees to represent their cultural and academic communities with integrity and dedication.”
Arzani plans to use the award money to support his ongoing research and attend an international conference.
“As a researcher at UIC, I have always viewed education and intercultural understanding as integral parts of my academic journey,” Arzani said. “In establishing the battery research unit within the Berry Research Lab, I have tried to create a collaborative environment for learning and innovation. A key aspect of this work has been mentoring and training undergraduate students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds in our lab.”
He has accomplished this through hands-on research, open dialogue, and shared problem-solving, and has aimed to foster a space where students can grow both intellectually and personally. This commitment also reflects his belief that meaningful education goes beyond technical skills, it includes cultivating mutual respect, cultural exchange, and a shared passion for discovery.
Recipients were recognized at the Office of Global Engagement International Student Awards ceremony on April 16, 2025, during an inspiring and meaningful ceremony celebrating academic excellence.
Arzani said that a memorable moment at the ceremony was when he spoke with McCrillis and shared his experience as an international student at UIC.
He also wanted to thank UIC Chemical Engineering Department Head and Dr. Satish C. Saxena and Asha Saxena Professor of Chemical Engineering Vikas Berry and Professor Christos Takoudis for their support.
Arzani received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Azad University in Iran.
The award is offered by the UIC Office of Global Engagement and World Business Chicago’s annual Chicago International Gala.