Srinagar, Oct 08: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar is gearing up for a historic celebration as it prepares to host its Global Alumni Meet – Sangam 2025 on October 10 and 11.
The two-day event will mark one of the biggest homecomings in the institute’s six-decade history, bringing together hundreds of distinguished alumni from across India and abroad. The meet will be a celebration of gratitude, philanthropy, and the enduring bond between alumni and their alma mater.
Several eminent graduates of the Institute formerly known as Regional Engineering College (REC) Srinagar have come forward with generous endowments aimed at promoting academic excellence, innovation, and leadership among students.
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Among the most notable contributors this year are Dr. Pradeep Tyle, Er. Ashok Dhar, Er. B. Madhusudhana Rao, Dr. Sultana N. Nahar, Dr. Arun Jaura, and Er. M.G.V. Sridhar, who have collectively pledged significant funds to institute.
Dr. Pradeep Tyle, an alumnus of the 1982 Chemical Engineering batch and a global leader in the flexible packaging industry, has donated ₹4 lakh to for the Institute across major engineering branches.
He is founder of PTA Advisors LLP and the Tyle Family Foundation, said his contribution is “a way to inspire young engineers to think globally and act responsibly.”
In a similar gesture, Er. Ashok Dhar, a 1972–77 Chemical Engineering graduate and former senior executive in three Fortune 500 energy companies, has instituted the Ashok Dhar Gold Medal with a contribution of ₹2 lakh.
The medal will be awarded annually to the top-performing student in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Er. B. Madhusudhana Rao, a 1985 Mechanical Engineering graduate, has donated ₹2 lakh to establish the Madhusudhana Rao Gold Medal for the branch topper in Mechanical Engineering.
Rao, who has held leadership roles in global oil and gas infrastructure projects, said the gesture was his way of giving back to the institute that laid his professional foundation.
Two more distinguished alumni Er Malay Chatterjee and Er Ram Mohan will also be part of Sangam 2025.
Er. Malay Chatterjee (Civil Engineering, 1984), currently Member (Technical) at the Odisha Real Estate Appellate Tribunal and former CMD of KIOCL Ltd., has over 33 years of leadership experience in mining, steel, and construction sectors. A law graduate from Utkal University and an M.Sc. in Disaster Mitigation from Sikkim Manipal University, he is widely recognized for turning around public sector enterprises like HSCL and KIOCL.
Ram Mohan, a 1984 alumnus in Engineering, is a senior business coach and executive strategist with decades of global experience in IT and telecom.
He has served in leadership roles at Motorola, the Tata group, and Tech Mahindra, and most recently as Executive Vice President at Tietoevry India. Now advising startups in innovation and strategy, he continues to mentor young professionals while maintaining a deep connection with his alma mater.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sultana N. Nahar, Prof. at The Ohio State University, USA, has instituted the Sultana Nahar and Alburuj R. Rahman Prizes for excellence in Physics and Mathematics.
Developed in collaboration with Prof. M.A. Shah and Prof. Seemin Rubab, the awards aim to encourage Kashmiri students to pursue STEM fields.
“Physics and Mathematics form the foundation of scientific progress but have seen declining interest in recent years,” she said. The prizes will include recognition for the best teaching, research, and student performance.
Er. M.G.V. Sridhar, another prominent alumnus, has instituted a gold medal in memory of his late father, Prof. M.G. Seshagiri Rao, a revered faculty member from the Department of Physics.
“It is a small tribute to a man who dedicated his life to teaching and shaping young scientists,” Sridhar said in his message to the NIT Srinagar.
Adding to these global initiatives, Dr. Arun Jaura, CEO of Traktion by Jaura and a technology visionary, has pledged ₹3 lakh towards the Traktion Technology & Innovation Award.
The award will honor a graduating student who demonstrates excellence in innovation, digital transformation, and problem-solving using modern engineering tools.
“Traktion celebrates students who combine technical brilliance with practical impact,” Dr. Jaura said.
The two-day meet will also feature interactive sessions, keynote addresses, and panel discussions led by distinguished alumni from diverse fields.
Mr. Deepesh Kaushish, Executive Advisor at ExxonMobil and a Chemical Engineering alumnus (1977–82), will deliver a keynote titled “Transforming Energy, Inspiring Engineers: Lessons from a Global Career.”
With over 38 years of experience in oil, gas, and LNG sectors, Kaushish will share insights on global energy transition and leadership.
Another highlight will be a session by Dr. Ajit Nair, a renowned biomaterials scientist and Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE), who worked with the legendary Prof. Willem Kolff, the “Father of Artificial Organs.”
Dr. Nair, who holds over 35 patents, will speak on “Pioneering the Future of Medicine: Innovations in Medical Device Technology.”
Other distinguished attendees include Nirmal K. Goyal (Electrical Engineering, 1982), a leading innovator in transformer technology; Er. Sayyed Parvez Qalandar (Chemical Engineering, 1980), a veteran industry leader; and Mr. Chitla Sambasiva Rao (Mechanical Engineering, 1985), who has contributed ₹1 lakh toward the Alumni Meet fund.
Rao, a former national award-winning sales officer and founder of Sowmya Automobiles in Telangana, continues to remain closely associated with his alma mater.
Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, hailed the contributions as “a defining chapter in the institute’s legacy of excellence.”
“These grants symbolize the unbreakable bond between our alumni and their alma mater. They represent how success, when rooted in gratitude, can transform institutions and lives,” he said.
Registrar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, described the initiative as “an investment in the future of students.
“These things carry stories of resilience and hard work. They will motivate generations of NITians to pursue excellence,” he said.
Dean Alumni and International Affairs, Prof. M.A. Shah, who is coordinating the event, said the response from alumni has been “overwhelming.”
“For the first time since 1960, NIT Srinagar’s alumni have united on such a scale not just to reconnect, but to contribute meaningfully. Their vision and generosity are building a legacy of academic and professional excellence,” he said.
Prof. Shah added that the Global Alumni Meet 2025 will feature cultural performances, campus tours, and networking sessions designed to foster deeper connections between past and present NITians.
“The event is as much about nostalgia as it is about creating a roadmap for the institute’s future,” he added.
