Projects
Projects funded by the VJTI International Alumni Association
The VJTI International Alumni Association, USA, partners with the VJTI Board of Governors and the VJTI Alumni Association, Mumbai, for the following projects at VJTI.
Current Projects
2025 - RANGNATH & INDIRABAI KULKARNI SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The VJTI International Alumni Association, USA, and the VJTI Alumni Association, Mumbai, are delighted to announce the establishment of the RANGNATH & INDIRABAI KULKARNI SCHOLARSHIP FUND. This fund will support scholarships for deserving students at VJTI.
We are deeply grateful to Madhukar R. Kulkarni and Asha Kulkarni for their generous donation of $100,000 in memory of Madhukar's parents, Rangnath & Indirabai Kulkarni, that made it possible to establish this scholarship fund.
Madhukar Kulkarni studied at VJTI from 1955 to 1960 where he completed his four year Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (LME) in 1959 and his Diploma in Electrical Engineering (LEE) in 1960. He came to the United States to pursue further studies at Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA in 1961. Following his graduation he worked at various companies such as Ford Motor, Ingersoll Rand, Boeing, Cross Company, Sanyo Machine and Fata Automation. His area of expertise is special machines, automation and robotics.
In 1990, he established his own business, Kuman Engineering, which provided design services to various companies. He is currently retired and lives in Michigan with his wife, Asha, who is a retired health insurance executive.
VJTI CANTEEN MODERNIZATION
The VJTI Alumni Association in Mumbai and the VJTI International Alumni Association in the USA are partnering to do a complete makeover of our beloved VJTI canteen. The VJTI Canteen Modernization Fund is intended to modernize the canteen to achieve the following goals:
Modern design with a seating capacity of ~300
Build a well-planned commercial kitchen adhering to the latest safety and hygiene standards
Allocate dedicated seating areas for students and staff
Provide an exclusive enclosure for visiting dignitaries and alumni
The total cost of this project is approximately INR 2 crores (USD $238,000). The entire project is expected to take ~ 5 months. We are making an earnest plea for contributions from our alumni. Substantial contributions (INR 20 Lakhs or higher) from individual donors or large pooled contributions from your class or batch will be considered for special recognition through a permanent plaque installed in the canteen.
Learn more about the project and ways to donate here.
VJTI CLASS OF ELECTRONICS 1998 RESEARCH & INNOVATION FUND
The VJTI Class of Electronics 1998 is celebrating its silver jubilee year of graduation and intends to create a VJTI Class of Electronics 1998 Research and Innovation Fund that will support VJTI’s efforts to improve its ranking under the Government of India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). The fund will be created from donations made by VJTI alumni from the BE Electronics class of 1998.
The fund shall be used to promote research, development, innovation, and other allied activities at VJTI. Approximately two-thirds of the Fund will be used to support VJTI Electronics Engineering students in publishing research papers and filing patents and the remaining one-third of the Fund will be used to support to build infrastructure and purchase equipment for an Electronics Engineering laboratory at VJTI.
CHAIR PROFESSORSHIP FUND
The VJTI Alumni Association (Mumbai) and the VJTI International Alumni Association (USA) are collaborating to create a Chair Professorship fund whose first recipient will be Dr. Rohin Daruwala, Professor (Adj) & Former Dean (Students Activities) at VJTI, Mumbai. This Chair Professorship fund enables Dr. Daruwala to contribute to VJTI as an Adjunct Chair Professor for a period of 5 (five) years from the date he assumes charge.
Dr. Rohin Daruwala, retired in October 2022 after 36 years of selfless service as Professor of Electronics Engineering at VJTI, Mumbai. Over these 3 decades, Professor Daruwala has held multiple positions at VJTI including Dean of Academic Programs, Member of the Board of Governors, Principal Rector, and Dean of Student Activities and Alumni Affairs. Dr. Daruwala has touched the lives of thousands of students over the years through his teaching, guidance, and mentorship.
Past Projects
2023 - SUBHASH KANAKARAJU KANCHERLA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The VJTI International Alumni Association, USA, and the VJTI Alumni Association, Mumbai, are delighted to announce the establishment of the SUBHASH KANAKARAJU KANCHERLA SCHOLARSHIP FUND to support merit-cum-need based scholarships for VJTI undergraduate students.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Vishal Kancherla and Dr. Vikas Kancherla for their generous grant that made it possible to establish this scholarship fund. Drs. Kancherla have instituted this scholarship fund in memory of their father, Mr. Subhash Kancherla, who graduated from VJTI in 1965 earning a BE degree in Civil Engineering. Mr. Subhash Kancherla's father, Mr. Kanakaraju Kancherla, also graduated from VJTI in Textile Engineering in 1916.
The merit-cum-need based scholarships will enable bright young students to get a world-class education at VJTI without having to worry about the high cost of education. One VJTI student enrolled in the undergraduate degree program will be selected as a scholarship recipient following a rigorous selection process. The scholarship will cover the academic fees of the awardee for the duration of the time they are enrolled in the undergraduate program provided they continue to maintain a strong academic standing and meet all the requirements of the program. We anticipate that this fund will cover scholarships for approximately the next 10 years.
2023 - TJ TALREJA GOLDMAN SACHS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The VJTI International Alumni Association, USA, and the VJTI Alumni Association, Mumbai, are delighted to announce the establishment of the USD $100,000 TJ TALREJA GOLDMAN SACHS SCHOLARSHIP FUND to support merit-cum-need based scholarships for VJTI undergraduate students.
We are deeply grateful to Kamlesh Talreja (BE Electronics '94) and Goldman Sachs Gives for their generous grant that made it possible to establish this scholarship fund.
The merit-cum-need based scholarships will enable bright young students to get a world-class education at VJTI without having to worry about the high cost of education. Five VJTI students enrolled in the undergraduate degree program will be selected as scholarship recipients each year following a rigorous selection process. The scholarship will cover the academic fees of the awardees for the year. We anticipate that the fund will cover five scholarships a year for at least the next 15 years.
2022 - CENTER for STUDIES and RESEARCH in INTERNET of THINGS (IoT) LAB UPGRADE
The Center for Studies and Research in Internet of Things (CSRIOT) at VJTI is focused on research and development in the following 3 areas in the field of Internet of Things (IoT):
Industrial IoT
IoT Technologies for Smart Cities
IoT for Connected Health
The CSRIOT plans to enhance the Internet of Things laboratory at VJTI through investment in equipment, software and infrastructure. The estimated cost is INR 5,000,000 (approximately USD 67,000).
The VJTI International Alumni Association intends to make a grant to support the above initiative to enhance the Internet of Things laboratory at VJTI. This project will be implemented by the VJTI Alumni Association, Mumbai. The VJTI Alumni Association will provide periodic updates on the progress of the project and a final report once the project is completed. Mr. BR Kalyanaraman, Chairman, VJTI Alumni Association, is authorized to sign the project agreement between the VJTI International Alumni Association, USA, and the VJTI Alumni Association, Mumbai.