Akaba Ajitum James, the Country Director of Open Dreams, has been honoured with the International Association for College Admission Counselling (International ACAC) “Going the Extra Mile” (GEM) Award, a distinction reserved for professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to expanding educational access globally.
The award, announced this week, recognizes James’s longstanding leadership in international education and his impact on young scholars across Cameroon and beyond. In a statement, International ACAC praised him as “an exemplary leader… with an unwavering commitment to equity, access, and student success that has transformed the lives of countless young scholars, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.”
International ACAC further highlighted James’ contributions to the HALI (High-Achieving, Low-Income) network, crediting his “innovative approach and dedication” for driving both individual and systemic change in access to higher education for marginalized groups.
“We are proud to award him with this season’s GEM Award,” the organization said, noting that his work has strengthened the global counselling community and advanced professional standards within the field.
Under James’ leadership, Open Dreams, a nonprofit organization dedicated to equalizing access to educational opportunities, has expanded its reach, providing mentorship, academic preparation, and college guidance to talented students from underserved communities. Many beneficiaries have gone on to secure competitive scholarships and admissions to top universities worldwide.
Within the Open Dreams community, the news has been received with what members describe as “humility and endless gratitude.” The organization celebrated the award as “another big win with far-reaching outcomes for our community,” reaffirming its mission of “Equalizing Access to Educational Opportunities for Community Impact.”
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