Reception for IIT Kanpur Team

On Saturday, May 15, 2004 IIT alumni gave a reception for Dr. Sanjay G. Dhande, the Director of IIT-Kanpur and Dr. G. K. Lal, Director of Alumni Relations of IIT-K. We were also blessed by the presence of Mrs. Dhande and their two sons in the reception. The reception was held at the New Royal Indian Restaurant banquet hall, Twinsburgh. They shared with us the 10-year vision and goals for IITK. They wanted to obtain feedback from the alumni on how to refine the vision to strengthen research programs and collaboration with US industries and universities.

Prof. Arvind Bansal, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and a student of Dr. Dhande, and currently Professor at Kent State University, did a great job organizing the program. From receiving the team at at the airport on Saturday morning, a luncheon meeting on saturday, evening reception, a visit to the Liquid Crystal Research Center at KSU, and final farewell at the airport, Prof. Bansal planned and executed the whole program in meticulous detail. Thanks you Arvind. 

Here is a brief report from Dr. Bansal about the reception:

Thank you for a wonderful evening on Saturday May 15 where 35+ IIT Alumni showed up many with spouses from all over the state. Special thanks to Columbus crowd. People came from as far as Ann Arbor (Michigan), Detroit (Michigan), Buffalo (New York), Toronto (Canada), and Lexington Kentucky.

For those who could not make it, the presentation by Prof. Dhande was wonderful. He talked about the concrete plan for future growth, interface of IITs with the need of the society, the development of enterpreneurship, and the need for support by Alumni both in fund drives and skill contribution to IITs. The attendees showed lot of enthusiasm in his initiative to make Alumni part of councils and committees and other forums through which Alumni could contribute. The Alumni also suggested the ways through which Alumni contribution could be effective, and communication between the institute and Alumni. Details will follow.

-Arvind