Our Bureau
Fords, NJ
Sardar Patel University (SPU) Alumni 22nd Annual Convention was held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Royal Albert’s Palace in New Jersey which was attended by more than 350 SPU alumni, guests, and dignitaries.
A renowned humorist, author, poet and philosopher, the Padma Shree award recipient Dr. Jagdish Trivedi, made a humorous presentation with his witty wisdom that was the highlight of the evening where laughter was at its best. Dr. Nita Patel, Ph.D., a proud alumna of SPU and a renowned vaccinologist who led the COVID-19 vaccine development of Novavax and Dr. K.V. Raman, Ph.D., were the Chief Guests of this convention. They both received a plaque of honor for their contributions. Dr. Virendra Rawat, Founder Director of Green Mentors was the Guest who attended the convention and addressed the audience with his inspirational speech and was given a plaque of honor for his commitment to a sustainable future in education which embraces climate readiness and sustainability. Hitesh and Kim Bhatt of Bhatt Foundation, Dr. Jitendra and Ramila Patel, Albert Jasani and Dr. Dinesh Patel, and Hasmukh Patel received recognition for their support of SPU.
The evening started with a cultural tradition of Deep Pragatya followed by garlanding of Bharat’s beloved leader Pujya Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was the force behind the vision for the University in the late 1940’s. SPU’s President Mr. Alay Patel, in his introductory and welcoming speech, provided the objectives of SPU and their current activities and vision in the upcoming years. Before the start of the convention, Dr. Jatin Mehta provided an hour-long seminar on Artificial Intelligence Driven Entrepreneurship with spirituality which was applauded and well received by the attendees.
The tribute was given to Late Shobhana Patel, a proud alumna of SPU who passed away earlier this year. Mr. Jatin Desai, Executive Vice-President of the SPU Alumni appealed to donate to the Alumni Association’s scholarship programs for the students. Dr. Jagdish Trivedi started his program with some humorous talk inspiring donors to donate toward the wonderful cause of education and reaching underprivileged girls to provide necessary resources to get proper education. Dr. Trivedi has a long history of charitable contributions to education and healthcare. Years ago, he affirmed to donate 11 crores. This has been his remarkable journey. His appeal to donate to the Alumni Association was effective simply because he has been doing charitable activities for a long time. The evening raised more than $40,000 which can benefit the mission of SPU to provide support in India.
The SPU Alumni Association has been organizing conventions and reunions for the past more than two decades which gives a unique opportunity to meet all SPU alumni and re-live golden days as students and now provides an opportunity to discuss ideas and projects to support the university and those in need for education and other humanitarian efforts.
