Gujarat’s engineering college begins North America tour to reinvent alumni network

The core group’s mission is to bring together an entire network of alumni and connect them with their alma mater, fostering a sense of community.

Dignitaries at the alumni meet. / Courtesy Photo

Gujarat-based Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering (LDCE), a venerable institution established in June 1948, is progressing towards its centennial celebration, mirroring India's journey of development since its independence in 1947. As LDCE approaches its 100th anniversary in 2047, a dedicated core group of alumni and key college officials are spearheading initiatives to strengthen their global network and elevate the institution’s standards. As part of this, the team has begun their North America tour with stops in New Jersey, Chicago, and San Francisco, aiming to reinvigorate the alumni network.

LDCE India and Chicago core alumni team. / Courtesy Photo

Leading the charge is a team including Dr Rajul Gajjar, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Technological University and former Principal of LDCE; Dr Nilay Bhuptani, current Principal of LDCE; Anand Patel, President of the LDCE Alumni Association (LAA); Prerak Shah, Vice President; and LAA Board of Governors members Apoorva Thakershy, Parag Shah, Chetan Thakkar, and Saleel Bhatt.

LDCE boasts an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 alumni network worldwide, many of whom lead global companies or have founded successful enterprises. The core group’s mission is to reconnect these alumni with their alma mater, fostering a sense of community.

LDCE Alumni Meet at Chicago. / Courtesy Photo

The North American tour has already seen significant success, with 230 alumni gathering at events in New Jersey and Chicago. These reunions have facilitated joyous homecomings and the discovery of new connections among alumni who had not met in decades.

In addition to fostering connections, the team is establishing local chapters of the LAA in the USA, providing a framework for ongoing alumni engagement.

Speakers at LDCE Alumni Meet at Chicago. / Courtesy Photo

On the home front, LDCE alumni have collaborated with KPMG to craft a strategic plan for achieving global standards by the centennial year. Aniket Bhagwat, an internationally acclaimed architect, has designed a master plan for the campus’s redevelopment. The government has also pledged matching grants to expedite the LDCE@100 initiative, which includes plans for a Rs 100 crore Research Park focusing on emerging and deep technologies.

LDCE boasts an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 alumni worldwide. / Courtesy Photo

Key college officials are spearheading initiatives to strengthen their global network. / Courtesy Photo

The small but determined group of alumni leaders remains confident in their ability to connect with and mobilize alumni across the USA and India, ensuring that LDCE's legacy continues to thrive as it approaches its centennial milestone.