VISION 2020 NEWSLETTER 2021-Q4 (PDF)

Friends, 

We are approaching the end of a very interesting 2021.  Hope you came through fine after the Covid-19 roller coaster this year and now we look ahead with a lot of hope and expectations for the coming year.

Our steadfast efforts with MSU Vision 2020 continued unabated as we redoubled our commitment for education, our belief that education is the “root force” to propel India and MSU students in particular toward a better economy, better healthcare, better life, and happier life!  And last but not the least, as alumni we benefited so much from MSU Techo that we feel honored to give back to our alma mater in any and every way possible.

We thank all of our alumni and friends who are our partners in this journey.  With the continued focus on helping students and building upon the foundation year 2020, MSU Vision 2020 made solid progress during the year 2021. 

We were excited to welcome the new batch of Student Ambassadors mid-year 2021 as the new academic year started.  We have teams created to support MSU Vision 2020 programs as well as teams for creative, content, and publicity.  These are our eyes and ears on the ground and are working shoulder to shoulder with alumni.

This was the year when Techo welcomed its new Dean, Prof. C. N. Murthy.  We have held two extensive meetings with Prof. Murthy and his leadership team comprising of two Vice Deans, Dean of Students and Heads of the Department.  We are pleased and delighted with Prof. Murthy’s support of MSU Vision 2020.  You will be happy to note that the Dean has now appointed a faculty coordinator to organize MSU Vision 2020 participation of the faculty staff.

Incubator 1.0

• We successfully evaluated 25 entries for the Incubator program 

• Funded the top 5 (INR 50,000 each); Funded next 5 (INR 20,000 each)

• The top five teams competed hard (Hybrid Drone, Fintech, Social App, Growing plants in a pod, and Yarn from banana plants).  

• Team Vrudhhi (Fintech) won the coveted MSU Vision 2020 first prize of INR 1,00,000.

• Some alumni have come forward to support any team that wants to continue and set up a startup.

It has been heartening to see the energy invested by the students for this initiative and support provided by the staff and alumni mentors.

Incubator 2.0
Incubator 2.0 was also kicked off and we have received about 30 proposals that are going through evaluations.

Mentoring Program 1.0

• This program was a big success in the first year. Mentors (about 80 mentors signed up) were paired with one or two mentees for one-on-one mentoring.

• Many of you participated and reported some heart-warming feedback from mentees 

Mentoring Program 2.0

• In 3Q2021, we procured and launched a branded portal “MSU Connect” which enabled the pairing of mentees and mentors via mentee-initiated outreach.  

• MSU Connect also enables connection amongst the alumni

• We encourage alumni, students, and faculty staff to sign up on MSU Connect. 

Merit Awards

• Merit awards will be announced in the near future.  Please stay tuned!  We are creating a Circle of Academic Excellence at MSU Techo!

Catalyst

• Year 2021 also saw the launch of a new program - Catalyst.  Catalyst exposes students to latest topics and advances by the way of webinars and certificate courses.

• We presented three exciting webinars in the last three months:

  • Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning

  • Cloud Computing 

  • Digital transformation challenge for businesses to stay relevant and win

  • Upcoming: How will 5G change my life?

• We have a 2-credit certificate course designed and approved by the MSU Syndicate and will be launched in early 2022.

• We urge alumni from all branches of engineering to come forward and share their knowledge 

Tidbits

Our friend and a classmate of many of us, Ajay Bhatt, delivered an inspiring convocation address to MSU class of 2021 and encouraged them to develop a culture of giving. How fitting!

We improved the Governance structure by formally creating a US 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the USA named “MSU Alumni Network”. Donors from USA now can donate with tax advantages. Donors from India already have that advantage.