A recent reunion of the 1996-2000 B. Tech batch of the erstwhile Pondicherry Engineering College (PEC), now the Puducherry Technological University (PTU), to mark the silver jubilee of their graduation, was virtually a transatlantic event, with former students from far-flung destinations across the globe gathering at the alma mater.
Some of the former students had arrived from the bustling metropolises of the U.S, others headed down from Australia, European cities, West Asia and South East Asian cities.
“The reunion both rekindled and reinforced bonds and a collective spirit fostered in the campus”, said Saravanan S, who was among the core group behind the “I’mPECcable Y2K” reunion.
It took well over a year of planning and virtual conferencing to pull off the event, which was special as it marked the 25th anniversary of passing out for the Class of 2000. And, about 130 students made it to the silver jubilee bash.
Students of the batch take pride in its diversity. It is hardly about the global spread of the alumni network, but about the heterogeneous mix that includes a fair share of high-flyers, from entrepreneurs to CEOs, a top-ranking law enforcement officer, a Buddhist monk, a Catholic Nun, and talented homemakers.
Students attribute the diverse paths taken by batchmates in finding fulfilment to the academic atmosphere in the institution that moulded them to be free-thinkers.
Back at their academic home, the collective decided that the best way of giving back to the alma mater was to spearhead a slew of alumni-driven initiatives that would benefit the next generation of engineers and sustain institutional excellence.
The centrepiece of the goodwill gesture of giving back to the alma mater is a proposal to establish a Centre of Excellence
Ambitious in its scope, the project aims to create a state-of-the-art facility, fostering advanced research, innovation, and skill development, thereby significantly enhancing the university’s academic and technological capabilities. The other proposals range from campus beautification, upgrade to the college’s facilities and setting up a RO water cooler.
Adding to these immediate improvements, the alumni has also planned for continued collaboration with PTU, a long-term engagement to train faculty members and students on the latest engineering skills that would ensure that the university’s curriculum remained at the forefront of technological advancements.
The batch has also committed to assisting current students in securing placements in top-notch companies, leveraging their extensive professional networks to open doors to promising career opportunities. S. Mohan, PTU Vice-Chancellor who was the chief guest for the launch of silver jubilee reunion addressed the alumni virtually.