Thanks giving – Farewell speech (31 May 2022)
Thank you all for support during my 5 years of directorship at VJTI.
Challenges, Opportunities – 2017-2022 (today I feel like 5 years have gone like superfast but No – time ticked on its own pace, sometimes it was painfully slow).
I blessed with the august Board of Governors of VJTI with a humble and very strong young lady Mrs Sandra Shroff as BoG Chairperson, helped me and mentored me throughout
Time is relative – it stands still – and we have had that experience during April 2020 – strictest of lockdown due to Covid Pandemic. We dived in self-learning through globally reputed institutions/top university’s courses using Coursera licences provided to all faculty and students– you all responded well – We did 13000 Coursera course certifications – during the 6 months (April-Sept 2020)
Our employment offers honoured, students could win WFH internships and PPO, Pay Pkg increased – Small steps and team work helped accomplishing complex looking big tasks – we could able to steer the ship in the right directions amidst turbulent waters.
I have grown addressing the unprecedented challenges amicably – retaining and improving on Courage, Confidence, Resolutions – Thought leadership transformed to action leadership
We could keep VJTI Brand, TLRI ecosystem, Stake holders’ satisfaction – at high level
How did I run VJTI? With your support
Academics –Admissions, Orientation, Classes, Exams, Calendar, Hostel Admissions, Campus safety, NBA, new programs – Prof Sangle, Dr Karande, Dr Bhil, Dr Palaskar, Prof Panse – you did wonderful job
Please be conscious about your duties, professional ethics, and integrity – Dean Admin Prof Borkar has helped me pushing these initiatives
We fostered International Partnerships, Industry Relations, Played roles in Govt. decision making
Infrastructure, Refurbishing, New PG hostels, new Proposals – Prof Chakrabarti, Prof Bambole, Dr Wayal – all did a good job
Handling regulators – UGC autonomy, AICTE, M Tech Defence, NIRF, ARIIA, NBA,….. Prof Bhirud has done it in excellent manner – he did well absorbing unions’ pressure, Prof Awale, Dr Phalle and Dr Shinde were right there.
Technology Based Incubator (TBI) and Centre of Excellence – We did wonderfully well scaling up external funding – sponsored research projects – delivery – accountability – excellence – Earn While Learn support to students and research scholars – and became part of the large problem solving for the society (funding INR 10 lacs (2017) à INR 50 Crore (new single project coming to VJTI) = 500x scaling) – thanks Prof Kazi
Alumni and International Alumni Association, Hand holding of students, Managing students’ events, Bringing out talents – extracurricular activities, supporting quality, excellence, merit, IoT lab, Alumni funding -Classrooms, Toilet blocks, Auditorium, Instrumentation at Mech, Textile labs – modernization, Gold medals, Scholarships, TBI, countless things – many many contributions – thanks to Prof Daruwala and our Alumni associations (both in India and in the USA)
We followed Students’ first approach – I am proud to say that my students (fresh graduates) are getting employment offers of annual pkg of 64 lacs prior to stepping out of college – Dr Gulhane and Dr Phalle have been working hard to ensure all these.
I ack support of all past HoDs, current HoDs, Controller of Exams, NBA coordinator, Finance (Prof Topkar, Dr Sachin Naik, CA Pakshal, Auditors, Prof Awale, Sonali, Mansi)..
I also acknowledge Mishra-ji and Mr Sabnish for campus safety. My office staff have done awesome job working for long hours – Vilas, Aditya, Prasad.
Please continue your support to keep the VJTI flag high.
My family – esp. my wife who supported me throughout – whenever I was down, she was the first to sense and resolutely provided me confidence not to give up
I have a special place for VJTI in my heart… I failed sometimes – in raising the bars that I defined at higher level – making VJTI a true Centre of Academic Excellence.
And Almighty – God is always with us – taking extra care for those who are working with commitment for the Good.
So – I am happy to step down on high note after completion of my 5 years tenure as Director…
Thank you all.
-Dhiren (31st May 2022)