In a landmark achievement for India's technical education landscape, a distinguished professor from Nagpur has brought national acclaim to his institution. Prof Dilip R Peshwe, a senior professor and Head of the Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering at VNIT Nagpur, has been honoured with the coveted Distinguished Educator Award for 2025.
A Historic Win for the National Institutes of Technology
The prestigious award was presented by the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) during its Annual Technical Meeting (ATM) 2025, which was hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad. This recognition is particularly significant as it marks the first time in the award's history that a faculty member from any National Institute of Technology (NIT) has been chosen for this high honour. The award traditionally acknowledges exceptional and lasting contributions to the field of metallurgical education in India.
The ceremony saw the award being conferred by two eminent personalities: Prof B S Murty, the Director of IIT Hyderabad, and Dr Komal Kapur, the Director of the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) under the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Their presence underscored the importance of the accolade within the scientific and academic community.
Recognising a Stellar Career in Metallurgy
Prof Dilip R Peshwe, who holds the Professor (HAG) position at VNIT, has been a cornerstone of the metallurgical engineering department. His work in advancing materials science education and research has now been formally recognised on a national platform. The IIM Distinguished Educator Award is not given lightly; it is a testament to a career dedicated to nurturing future engineers and contributing original research to the field.
The award ceremony at IIT Hyderabad was a key highlight of the IIM ATM 2025, a premier gathering of metallurgists, scientists, and industry leaders from across the country. By bestowing this award upon Prof Peshwe, the IIM has not only celebrated an individual's excellence but has also highlighted the growing calibre of education and innovation emerging from NITs.
What This Means for VNIT and Technical Education
This achievement places VNIT Nagpur firmly on the national map for excellence in metallurgical engineering education. It breaks the precedent of such awards being typically dominated by professors from IITs or other central institutions, showcasing the high-quality mentorship and academic leadership present in the NIT system.
For students and faculty at VNIT, this award serves as a massive morale booster and a validation of their institute's standards. It promises to enhance the institution's reputation, potentially attracting better research collaborations, projects, and students. Prof Peshwe's recognition is a proud moment for the entire city of Nagpur and a shining example of the talent that thrives in India's tier-2 educational hubs.
The story of Prof Peshwe's award is ultimately one of dedication paying off. It reinforces the idea that impactful education and pioneering work are recognised irrespective of an institution's traditional hierarchy, setting a new benchmark for excellence across all engineering colleges in India.
