A letter addressed to Jasmine Dotiwala who was selected for the Mary Lou Carrington Award for a Businesswoman making a Significant Contribution to Education noted, "One inspirational educator results in many successful learners. Our definition of educator is deliberately broad to cover all those professionals who contribute to creating a stimulating, diverse and supportive environment in which people can learn and enrich their lives.” Dotiwala had received the communication from Dr Jennifer Somerville, chairperson of The Worshipful Company of Educators based in London. Their Educators’ Trust provides awards and bursaries for outstanding, innovative and inspirational practice in a wide range of educational subjects, levels and settings.
The award that carried an inscribed crystal plaque and a cash gift of UKP 300 (Rs 30,586) was presented to Dotiwala at a black-tie formal event at the imposing and opulent Merchant Taylors Hall in London on April 21, 2023. "I will be donating the prize money to a charity called Arts Emergency where I am a trustee. It supports young people from working class backgrounds to get involved in careers in the creative arts industry,” stated Dotiwala who has over 25 years of experience as a head of department, manager, broadcaster, producer, director and columnist for world renowned brands. In 2016 she joined Speakers for Schools to pursue her passion for encouraging young people to consider careers in the media sector.
Jasmine Dotiwala with her award
The judges were "not only impressed with your commitment to Speakers for Schools program for the state school sector but also with your wider engagement with education through the Media Trust’s broadcast trainee program, London 360, its media training program for youth and your mentoring support for young people. They were struck by the words of one of your mentees, ‘She encourages young people to be the best that they can be, and truly believes in them and that talent really can come from any background.’ In this context, they noted your involvement with masterclasses in inclusion and equality at the National TV and Film School as well as for business leaders in the media industry,” commended Somerville.
"There were over 2,000 nominees from all over the UK for this award,” said Dotiwala, responding to queries from Parsiana. At the awards night she was repeatedly informed that this is one of the highest awards for alternative educators instituted by the Worshipful Company of Educators’ Trust.