Daijiworld News Network - Abu Dhabi (ODS)

Abu Dhabi - April 27:  The annual Alumni get-together of the UAE Chapter of the prestigious National Institute of Technology Karnataka - NITK (Formerly known as KREC - Surathkal) was held on Thursday,  April 26, 2007 at Food Lands Restaurant Banquet Hall , Abu Dhabi.

It was a day of homecoming for the Alumnus and their families, who attended the gathering in large numbers.  It was a time to meet long lost classmates and  friends.  The annual event is getting popular year after year, as new members join in.

The Alumni Association was started in the year 1996, by group of enthusiastic ex-students based in the UAE and the current strength is over 150 ex-students.  The alumni of this prominent institution have scattered all over the Globe, some of them have created a niche for themselves in the UAE, holding key positions.

The formal function started with the comperes - Raman Kumar and Loyola Pinto's introduction followed by welcome address by Satish Shenoy the current Alumni President.

This was followed by stage performances including dances by Krishna and Party, Shruthi Jaykrishnan and the group and filmy dance by Ruth, David and Elisheba Choppala.  An exciting magic show by lima record holder, Ravichandra,a deaf and dumb performer was the highlight of the evening which followed by games, dance, down the memory lane  etc

The Chief Guests for the evening were - J. P. Garg - Honorary Chairman Institution of Engineers (India) - Abu Dhabi Chapter and Yajna Narayana  - an alumnus of NITK and member of the Governing  Board of NITK, who is an entrepreneur manufacturing watches, under the brand name of "Sonaband" and also involved in the IT industry with his own Unisoft Software consultancy based in Bangalore.  He was instrumental and actively involved in networking of NITK Alumni all over Globe and is the current President of NITK Alumni Association (Global).

NITK - Surathkal, since its inception, in 1960, has imparted quality education and established itself as a premier institution providing support to research and developmental activities. Its commitment to augment the capabilities and potential of its students with the objective of transforming them into leaders  in  their chosen areas of interest. NITK - Surathkal has carved its forte, among the best technical institutes of India and abroad.

The pride of this institution are its alumni who are distinguished Engineers, who are occupying the coveted positions all over the Globe, through the motto of this great institutions, that is,  Work is Worship and to transform themselves into good human beings, good technologists and good specialist  professionals which have enabled its enterprising students to be successful in their chosen field of technology.

It can be recalled that recently one of the distinguished Alumnus based in UAE  - Lawrence Mendonca  - Managing Director  and owner of group of  companies in the UAE  received the prestigious  ‘Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ from the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations of Karnataka, Bangalore is one of the founder members of this Association in the UAE, who was instrumental in forming the Alumni Association along with like minded people.

The dazzling event concluded with prize distribution and  the vote of thanks proposed by Angeri Bhat  followed by Dinner.

The Synompsis of Yajnanaryana's Address to the Alumni

- NITK gave him the respectability in his carrier, society and improved his vision
- Alumni Association was formed to come together to share the common platform of frequency of thinking and create synergy
- Though NITK is government owned, the improvement of the ambience,improvement and up keep are volutary contribution of the Aumni.
- Help the students from rural background who are below poverty by means of starting scholarships etc.
- To help the Alma Mater by means of joining him in his vision to reach the goal collecting 100 Lakhs of Rs. to help those in need of pursuing their carrier.
- To enhance the campus environment by spreading greenery.
- Generating a brand for the institution.  The Alumni is only and only one tool which can create build and sustain a brand, may be technical, behavioural, or through leadership qualities by being proud NITKIAN.
- Adopting few rural schools around KREC, by donating books and other amenities.
- Contribute towards distribution of books to primary school students ....and so on.......