JOIN USDr Gifty Immanuel, who lives and works in India, is pursuing the Master of Studies in the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations programme via e-learning.
He was among recipients of the 2010 Junior Chamber International (JCI) Award.
Each year the awards are presented to ten people in various categories around the world under the age of 40 who provide extraordinary service to their communities, a university release said.
The JCI, which works in partnership with the UN, awarded Dr Immanuel with the prestigious international prize in recognition of his contribution to public health and the use of innovative medical knowledge to serve global communities.
Dr Immanuel was brought up in India, Africa and Arabia and is qualified in dentistry, medicine and public health.
He has a range of further academic qualifications from various universities including Harvard.
Based in Tuticorin, his current job entails control and management of emerging and re-emerging infections like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B and other communicable diseases.
Currently in the second year of the master's programme in Jewish-Christian Relations, Dr Immanuel said, "Coming from a country which has been the birth place of several religions, it was always my desire to understand religious tolerance and harmony.
The programme provides a deeper understanding of the concept of dialogue and reconciliation. Inter-faith peace-making efforts learnt from this programme could be applied to real world scenarios".
Dr Immanuel is able to fit studying around his work as a physician.
He said, "For a busy mid-career professional like me, e-learning gives total flexibility to study without interrupting regular working hours.