IIT Bhubaneswar Faculty Dr. Srikant Gollapudi Honoured with National Teachers’ Award 2026
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Bhubaneswar, September 6, 2026: Dr. Srikant Gollapudi, Associate Professor at the School of Minerals, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar (IIT Bhubaneswar), has been honoured with the prestigious National Teachers’ Award 2026.
The award was presented by Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held in New Delhi on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. Dr. Gollapudi is among 21 educators from higher educational institutions and polytechnics selected for the national recognition.
Recognition for Teaching and Socially Relevant Research
Dr. Gollapudi has been recognised for his contribution to teaching excellence and socially relevant research in metallurgy and materials science.
His approach to education places strong emphasis on helping students develop a clear understanding of fundamental concepts while connecting classroom learning with practical applications. He also promotes experiential learning as an important part of the educational process.
His research portfolio covers several areas with direct societal and industrial relevance, including the development of cost-effective medical implants and surgical devices, innovative approaches for recycling end-of-life solar cells, and lightweight composite materials for mobility applications.
Academic and Professional Journey
Dr. Gollapudi is an alumnus of NIT Rourkela and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. He subsequently completed his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University, USA.
Before joining IIT Bhubaneswar, his professional experience included assignments with the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory in Hyderabad, MIT in the United States, and Saint-Gobain Research India.
At IIT Bhubaneswar, his research focuses on the processing and characterization of advanced materials for applications spanning defence, mobility and biomedical sectors. His work also includes nationally significant research projects associated with DRDO and the Ministry of Mines.
Dr. Gollapudi Credits Students and Mentors
Reacting to the recognition, Dr. Gollapudi expressed gratitude to his students, colleagues, mentors and the leadership of IIT Bhubaneswar. He also acknowledged the institute’s teaching-learning reforms, which he said are helping create an environment conducive to innovative and student-focused pedagogy.
He described the award as an encouragement to continue working towards excellence in teaching, research and mentoring, particularly in preparing the next generation of learners and researchers.
IIT Bhubaneswar Calls Award a Matter of Pride
Congratulating Dr. Gollapudi, Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, said the national recognition reflects the institute’s commitment to combining socially meaningful research with improvements in teaching and learning.
He highlighted Dr. Gollapudi’s dedication to teaching, research and student mentoring as an example of the academic values promoted by IIT Bhubaneswar.
The National Teachers’ Award 2026 marks a significant recognition of Dr. Gollapudi’s contribution as both an educator and researcher, particularly through work that connects advanced materials research with practical and socially relevant applications.
— Suman Munshi, IBG NEWS
