Dr. Anitha Suseelan Honoured with the Prestigious National Award for Teachers 2024, for Architectural Education

In a prestigious ceremony held in New Delhi on September 5th, 2024, Dr. Anitha Suseelan, Head of Department for the School of Architecture at Christ University, Karnataka, India, has been bestowed with the National Award for Teachers 2024.

This recognition is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Higher Education, under the Ministry of Education, which aims to celebrate exceptional educators across India. The awards ceremony took place on September 5, 2024, coinciding with Teachers’ Day, when President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards to the recipients.

Dr. Suseelan has over 26 years of experience in architecture and urban design. This esteemed accolade recognizes her contributions to education and her innovative teaching methodologies and approaches to architectural education. She has led various research projects aimed at sustainable urban development. As one of the founding members of the school at Christ University, she is contributing extensively to innovate the pedagogy in architectural education towards an experiential learning process and outreach projects. Her work not only enhances the educational landscape but also contributes significantly to the field of architecture in India.

This award not only celebrates Dr. Suseelan’s accomplishments but also highlights the rising standards of architectural education in India. Educators like Dr. Suseelan play a crucial role in nurturing the talent that will shape India’s future.

About the Award:

The National Award for Teachers is one of India’s highest honours in the field of education, presented annually to educators who have shown exceptional dedication and innovation in their teaching practices.

As such, in the year 2023, it was decided to institute two categories of awards for HEIs and Polytechnics under the umbrella of NAT, hitherto restricted to school teachers only. The 16 select teachers for the National Award to Teachers are from polytechnics, state universities, and central higher education institutions. The teachers are selected based on their significant contributions to teaching, research, and outreach activities.