Manipal, 13^th September 2022: Dr. Manohara Pai M.M, Professor, Department of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Manipal Institute of Technology, has been felicitated with the National Award for Teachers in the category of Technical Teachers, NTTA-22 on 6^th September 2022 by the Ministry of Education, Government. of India, in New Delhi at a function organized in Dr. Ambedkar International Center.

The prestigious award was presented in the presence of Smt. Annapurna Devi, Minister of State (MoS) for education, Shri. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, MOS for education, and Dr. Subhash Sarkar, MOS for Education, Government of India. The award comprises of Cash prize and a Certificate of Excellence in recognition of Dr Pai’s teaching excellence in technical education.

Dr. Manohara Pai has been associated with MIT for over three decades, playing a pivotal role in the establishment of the Department of ICT, Innovation Centre, and MU Technology Business Incubator (MUTBI). Over the years, he has held several positions at MIT such as the First HOD of ICT, the First Associate Director of the Innovation Centre, and the first CEO of MUTBI, MIT, Manipal to name a few. Additionally, he has provided the students of Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate & Research level for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship purposes. The support that he has extended to the students has borne fruit in the form of seven patents and 130 research publications in the last several years.

Dr Manohara Pai has also been a recipient of the Innovation Award for Mentoring Indigenous Dental Implants by the Minister of Science & Technology and the Dr. TMA Pai Endowment Chair Award. He has also received several prestigious Research Grants from the industry & Government of India agencies.

Lt. Gen. (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education said “The bestowment of this prestigious award on Dr. Manohara Pai has made all of us swell with pride. On behalf of the MAHE family, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him. He has contributed immensely to the field of technology. He is not only a role model to his students at Manipal but also to other young minds across the country who want to pursue their career in this field.”

Cdr (Dr) Anil Rana, Director, MIT, MAHE, Manipal said “This is an extremely proud and glorious moment for the entire Manipal fraternity. It is simply a result of Dr. Manohara Pai’s hard work which he has been tirelessly putting in all these years. Dr Manohara Pai has served in many of critical academic and administrative positions in MIT and MAHE and has made outstanding contributions both, in the areas of academic delivery as well as in research. The NTAA award has gone to the most deserving academician. The recognition that has come his way is undoubtedly very well deserved.”