Arun Nigavekar (14 March 1942 – 23 April 2021) was an Indian physicist and educator. He was the vice-chancellor of the University of Pune from 1998 to 2000 and the vice-chairperson and then chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC) from 2000 to 2005. Nigavekar helped establish the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) body as the Founder Director. A. P. J. Kalam, the former President of India, dubbed him as the 'Father of Quality Education in India'.