Atul Khanna, Director and Chief Promoter, Tooltech Global Engineering and Founder and  Chairman of the Board of Systems Biology Worldwide, has earned recognition as Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

The recognition was awarded by the President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen, and is based on Mr. Khanna’s achievements in promoting collaboration between Finland and India both in the areas of science and business.

The award ceremony was held on 2nd June at the University of Helsinki, the most versatile research university in Finland with more than 35,000 students. The Chancellor of the University of Helsinki, Mr. Ilkka Niiniluoto and the Rector of the University of Helsinki, Mr. Thomas Wilhelmsson awarded the Order to Atul Khanna.

While presenting the award, Mr. Thomas Wilhelmsson, appreciated Mr. Khanna’s work stating, ”Atul Khanna is a visionary who persistently promotes issues and beliefs. He has promoted research and industry co-operation between Finland and India. He has become important person in Finland and he has many Finnish friends among both academics and business men.” 

Atul Khanna initiated together with Professor Mart Saarma a student exchange program for biotechnology students between Finland and India. He has founded and successfully managed several companies.

Atul Khanna has created a dynamic and innovative delivery model in which Indian advantages and strengths are combined with Finnish advantages to form a cost competitive research service delivery concept.

Mr. Khanna was elated at recieving the award, ”I have had the privilege to combine scholars, companies and the two governments in the pursuit of human & scientific progress. I believe that inspite of the optical polarity between India and Finland, at a substantiated level, there is a huge power of complementary strengths” he exclaimed.

The Order of the Lion of Finland was founded on September 11, 1942. The President of Finland wears the Star of the Order of the Lion of Finland and is Grand Master of the order.

 

 

Updated on: 20 Aug, 2010