Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, has announced the recipients of the prestigious National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2025, recognizing excellence in higher education and polytechnic institutions across the country. Among the 21 awardees, Prof. Vijayalaxmi J from the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Vijayawada has been selected under the Engineering & Technology, Architecture category.
The NAT awards, which were earlier conferred only on school teachers, were extended in 2023 to include faculty from higher education institutions and polytechnics in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The recognition celebrates teaching-learning effectiveness, research and innovation, outreach activities, and contributions to institutional growth.
Prof. Vijayalaxmi’s selection highlights her remarkable contributions to sustainable architecture, building technologies, and climate-responsive design. With an academic career spanning over two decades, she has held leadership positions including Head of Department and Dean (Research) at SPA Vijayawada, and has authored several books and research publications on sustainable building practices.
Her work on building thermal performance, heritage conservation, sustainable materials, and circular economy in construction has gained national and international recognition. She has also been a mentor to award-winning student teams in the Solar Decathlon India competitions and has contributed extensively to policy framing, curriculum development, and research in architecture.
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About Prof. Vijayalaxmi J
Prof. Vijayalaxmi J (Dr. Iyer Vijayalaxmi Kasinath) is a leading academician and researcher in the field of architecture and sustainable built environments. A graduate and doctorate from Anna University, Chennai, with further research experience at the Politecnico di Milano, Italy, she specializes in energy-efficient buildings, smart materials, heritage conservation, and climate-responsive urban design.
Currently serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Architecture at SPA Vijayawada, she has authored multiple books with Springer Publications, guided doctoral research, and developed MOOCs under NPTEL-SWAYAM. She is also the recipient of several recognitions including the Birla White Yuva Ratna Award (2010), Solar Decathlon Faculty Lead Awards, and an Erasmus Mundus Fellowship.
Her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing sustainable architecture in India, bridging academics, research, and practice.
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