Sardar Patel University alumni hold 22nd Annual Convention, raise $40,000 in one evening

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The Sardar Patel University (SPU) Alumni association held its 22nd Annual Convention Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, New Jersey.

More than 350 SPU alumni and invited guests and dignitaries attended, according to a press release from organizers.

Renowned humorist, author, poet and philosopher, the Padma Shri award recipient Dr. Jagdish Trivedi, kept the audience in stitches.

Dr. Nita Patel, an SPU alumna, credited with leading the development of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, and Dr. K.V. Raman, Ph.D., were the Chief Guests of this convention. They both received a plaque of honor for their contributions.

Founder and Director of Green Mentors Dr. Virendra Rawat, also addressed the audience with an inspirational speech. He received a plaque in honor of his commitment to education that  embraces climate readiness and sustainability.

Hitesh & Kim Bhatt of Bhatt Foundation, Dr. Jitendra & Ramila Patel, Albert Jasani & Dr. Dinesh Patel, and Hasmukh Patel received recognition for their support to SPU.

The Deep Pragatya or traditional lamp lighting ceremony was held to jumpstart the event. An image of India’s freedom fighter and leader  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel credited with being the force behind the creation of SPU in the late 1940s, was garlanded.

SPU’s President Alay Patel, in his introductory and welcoming speech, outlined the objectives of SPU and its current activities and vision for the future.

Prior to start of the convention, Dr. Jatin Mehta provided an hour-long seminar on Artificial Intelligence Driven Entrepreneurship and Spirituality, which was well received by the attendees, the press release said.

A tribute was paid to Late Shobhana Patel, an alumna of SPU who passed away earlier this year. Jatin Desai, executive vice-president of the SPU Alumni Association, appealed to members for donations for the scholarship programs for students.

Dr. Jagdish Trivedi started his humorous introduction by inspiring attendees to donate for the cause of education and reaching underprivileged girls with resources necessary to pursue a good education. Dr. Trivedi’s has a long history for his record-breaking charitable contributions for education and healthcare, organizers noted, recalling his pledge years ago, to donate Rupees 11 crores. To date, his donations to charities amount to more than 60 percentage of his goal.  His appeal appears to have worked at the event, as more than $40,000 were raised during that evening.

The SPU Alumni Association has been organizing conventions and reunions for the past more than two decades, organizers said, providing an opportunity for attendees to remember their time at the University, and build their network, to continue supporting that institution.