Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, will honor the accomplishments of its alumni with the Distinguished Alumni Award on January 19, 2025, at the VNIT Auditorium. This prestigious ceremony is a joint effort between VNIT and the VNIT Alumni Association.
The awards will be presented in seven categories this year, including Excellence in Research & Academics (RAC), Excellence in Invention & Innovation in Industry (INN), Excellence in Corporate & Industry (CRP), Excellence in Entrepreneurship (ENT), Excellence in Public Administration/Defence Services (ADM), Excellence in Other Walks of Life, and Excellence in Architecture.
During a press conference on Friday, Dr. Premlal Patel, Director of VNIT, Nagpur, announced that the Distinguished Alumni Award will now be presented biennially to honor the diverse achievements of the institute’s alumni. Dr. Patel emphasized the evolving nature of leadership and achievement, noting that this year’s awards will recognize individuals across various age groups and professional fields.
The awards will be presented in categories such as Young Achievers (under 40), Distinguished Professionals (40+), and Lifetime Achievement (across multiple fields). Dr. Patel further shared that the awards aim to celebrate alumni from a wide range of professions, including research, innovation, corporate, public administration, and architecture.
Sharad Heda, Chairman of the VNIT Alumni Association, highlighted the global and diverse reach of this year’s awardees, noting that more than 50% of the honorees are based in the US, Europe, and APAC regions. He also pointed out the significant representation of women among the awardees, reflecting the institute’s inclusive and progressive ethos.
The Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented in the presence of key figures, including Nagesh A. Basavanhalli, Vice Chairman of Greaves Cotton Limited, Satyanarayan Nuwal, Founder & Executive Chairman of Solar Industries India Limited, and Dr. Sadanand Gokhale, Former Director of VNIT.
Other dignitaries, including Dr. K.M. Bhurchandi, Shashikant Chaudhary, Dr. Ajay Likhite, Uday Kamat, Joginder Singh Sond, and Dr. Mangesh Kotambkar, were also present at the press conference.