n a recognition that underlines the growing role of educators as catalysts for grassroots innovation, Dr. Prashant R. Nair, Associate Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, has been honoured as a Regional Mentor of Change (RMoC) by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog. He was also named among the “Gems of Mentor India”, marking his fifth consecutive year receiving the distinction from a highly competitive national pool of over 6,500 mentors.
The honour was formally conferred during the Mentor Round Table (MRT) 2025, held at NITI Aayog, New Delhi, on 17 September 2025. The award was presented by Dr. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director of AIM, in the presence of senior officials including NITI Aayog CEO Shri BVR Subrahmanyam. The annual round table brings together select mentors from across the country who have made sustained contributions to India’s innovation ecosystem through school-level and grassroots mentoring.
Dr Prashant R Nair of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has been honoured as a Regional Mentor of Change by Atal Innovation Mission for the fifth year.
Recognising sustained mentorship, not one-time success
Unlike awards that recognise isolated achievements, the Regional Mentor of Change honour is rooted in consistency, impact, and long-term commitment. Dr. Nair’s selection for the fifth year in a row reflects sustained engagement with Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs)—a flagship initiative of AIM aimed at nurturing curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills among school students.
Since 2018, Dr. Nair, the regional mentor of change has served pro bono as an ATL mentor to three schools in Tamil Nadu:
- Yuvabharathi Public School, Coimbatore
- Amrita Vidyalayam, Trichy
- Amrita Vidyalayam, Nagapattinam
His role has gone far beyond occasional guidance sessions. Over the years, he has worked closely with students and teachers to shape project ideas, refine problem statements, guide prototype development, and prepare teams for national innovation challenges. Several student teams mentored under his guidance have gone on to participate meaningfully in competitive innovation platforms, gaining exposure that extends well beyond classroom learning.
Mentorship as an extension of education
Speaking at the Mentor Round Table, Dr. Nair, awarded as the regional mentor of change, highlighted the importance of continuity and responsibility in mentorship, noting that innovation ecosystems cannot thrive on enthusiasm alone. According to him, real transformation happens when mentors remain invested through failures, iterations, and learning cycles.
He emphasised that meaningful mentorship is not about imposing solutions but about helping students ask the right questions, develop confidence, and build resilience. This philosophy closely mirrors the broader vision of the Atal Innovation Mission, which seeks to embed innovation thinking at the school level rather than restricting it to elite institutions or higher education.
Aligning with Amrita’s “Education for Life” vision
Dr. Nair’s work as a regional mentor aligns closely with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s institutional ethos of outreach and social responsibility, encapsulated in its “Education for Life” philosophy. The university has long emphasised the role of education as a force for societal transformation, and faculty involvement in national missions such as AIM reinforces this commitment.
By mentoring school students from diverse socio-economic and geographic backgrounds, Dr. Nair as the regional mentor of change has helped bridge the gap between higher education institutions and school-level innovation ecosystems. His regional engagement demonstrates how universities can contribute to national development not only through research and rankings, but also through direct community engagement.
A dual role: academic and administrator
Within Amrita University, Dr. Nair plays a pivotal dual role. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and simultaneously serves as Associate Director of IQAC, where he is deeply involved in academic governance, quality assurance, and accreditation processes.
He also acts as the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) coordinator for the Coimbatore campus, contributing to institutional compliance, curriculum evaluation, and continuous improvement mechanisms. Over the years, his leadership has been instrumental in guiding Amrita through complex accreditation exercises, including securing high NAAC grades and strengthening internal governance structures across campuses.
A clear philosophy on institutional transformation
In a recent interaction, Dr. Nair (regional mentor of change) articulated his belief that meaningful reform in education does not require extraordinary resources but a clear alignment of intent and execution. “If there is a will, there is always a way—even in government institutions,” he remarked, pointing to the importance of leadership mindset in driving change.
He has consistently spoken about the balance between quality by design and quality by conformance, arguing that institutions must move beyond compliance-driven frameworks toward systems that embed quality at every stage of teaching, learning, and assessment. He has also highlighted the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, transparency, micro-credentials, and industry-aligned curricula in shaping the future of higher education.
Impact beyond the university campus
Dr. Nair’s mentorship and leadership have also translated into tangible outcomes for students. Under his guidance, teams from Amrita have earned recognition in several high-profile competitions, including the Smart India Hackathon, TCS Digital Twin Challenge, Rajasthan Hackathon, and the Singapore–India Hackathon. Some of these achievements have received acknowledgement from the Prime Minister’s Office, underscoring their national significance.
In parallel, Dr.Nair as the regional mentor of change remains actively involved in professional bodies such as IEEE, ACM, CSI, and IETE, contributing to curriculum development, professional standards, and academic networking at both national and international levels.
Reinforcing India’s innovation pipeline
Dr. Prashant R. Nair’s recognition as a Regional Mentor of Change reflects a broader shift in how educational leadership is being defined in India. As the country seeks to build a robust innovation pipeline, mentors who operate at the intersection of schools, universities, and national missions are becoming increasingly vital.
His journey illustrates that impact in education today is not confined to lecture halls or administrative offices. It extends to classrooms in small towns, tinkering labs in schools, and mentoring conversations that spark curiosity and confidence among young learners.
For Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, the honour reinforces its growing role in national education initiatives. For India’s innovation ecosystem, it serves as a reminder that sustained mentorship remains one of the most powerful tools for shaping future-ready minds.
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