Roorkee/Chennai, 28th June 2018: A London-based Indian Management Expert has funded Professorial Chairs in Indian Institutes of Technology – Roorkee and Madras
Dr. Ajit M. Singhvi, promoter of Ajit Singhvi Education and Training Trust, champions the concept of Individual’s Social Responsibility (ISR). It mirrors the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and advocates individuals spending 2 per cent or more of their earnings between the age 50-60. He proposes that such individuals be suitably recognised and rewarded by their County/Burrough/District. This would complement the efforts of Corporates and Nations.
Dr. Ajit Singhvi has set an example by donating 85 per cent of his life savings from employment for the cause of education and women empowerment in India. He is also providing scholarship and awards to meritorious students from Weaker Sections at MLS University, Udaipur.
Explaining his motivation for his philanthropic activities, Dr. Ajit Singhvi said, “Our education and upbringing teaches us to give something back to the Society. What else can be a better cause than supporting the superb efforts of IITs Roorkee and Madras in building capabilities. I do believe in personal contributions/Sacrifice as distinct from Corporate Contributions in this regard and hope that one day we all shall be able to set aside a portion of our earnings for philanthropic purposes. Thus we complement the Government in achieving its vision for the Country.”
He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Manchester Business School, School of Engineering-Middlesex University, Japan Institute of Plant Management, Institute of Chartered Accountants, and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants amongst others. He is providing consulting and coaching services to organisations in many countries and assists in capability-building initiatives for weaker sections.
Appreciating the contribution of Dr. Ajit Singhvi to IIT Roorkee, Prof. Bhola R. Gurjar, Dean (Resources and Alumni Affairs), IIT Roorkee, said, “When the practice of CSR is still in its nascent stage in India, Dr. Ajit Singhvi is championing the concept of Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) by demonstrating it through his philanthropic activities. The concept of ISR is a unique blend of the age-old collective wisdom of the society and modern socio-economic capabilities of successful individuals, which has great potential not only to promote excellence in the institutions of higher education and research but also to evolve an inclusive society.”
Lauding the contribution of Dr. Ajit Singhvi to IIT Madras, Prof R. Nagarajan, Dean (International and Alumni Relations), IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras is delighted to host the Dr. Singhvi Chair in our Department of Management Studies. Given Dr. Singhvi’s concern for ethics in leadership and governance, this is eminently suitable. We are also fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Dr. Bhaktavatsala Rao as the first Chair Professor. Contributions such as Dr. Singhvi’s play a key role in the holistic development and global visibility of an institution such as an IIT.”
Prof. Dharmendra Singh of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at IIT Roorkee has recently been selected as the first occupant of the Dr. Ajit Singhvi Institute Chair at IIT Roorkee.
The Dr. Ajit Singhvi Chair Professor was established at the Department of Management Studies in IIT Madras. Dr. C. Bhaktavatsala Rao was appointed to the Dr. Ajit Singhvi Chair Professor.
Dr. Dharmendra Singh has more than 24 years of experience in Teaching and Research. He has published more than 300 research papers in reputed international/national journals and conferences. His main research interests involve Image analysis, Satellite data application, electromagnetic wave interaction with various media, microwave imaging like through wall imaging, ground penetrating radar and stealth application. He has developed a Ground Penetrating Radar and several other products.
Dr. Dharmendra Singh has received various fellowships and awards including Monbusho Fellowship, Japan, UCAR Fellowship, USA, MERIT Fellowship, European Union, DAAD Fellowship, Germany, TWAS Fellowship, China, IFCAM Fellowship, France, and TWAS Fellowship, Brazil. He is the Coordinator of RailTel-IIT Roorkee Center of Excellence in Telecom and He is also the founder CEO of the startup Dirghadhi Technology Pvt Ltd. More details about Prof. Dr. Dharmendra Singh can be accessed at the URL: http://people.iitr.ernet.in/ facultyresume/CV_dsingh.pdf
Dr. Bhaktavatsala Rao has over 42 years of diversified experience in strategic and operational leadership of large companies in India, including subsidiaries of global MNCs such as being the President (2010-2015) of Hospira India and Corporate Officer (Corporate VP) of Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company.
He holds Ph.D. Degree in Industrial Management and an M. Tech. Degree in Industrial Engineering, both from the Indian Institute of Technology. He has published over 135 papers, 40 of which in referral research journals (2 of which in book form). He was the Recipient of Times Research Foundation Award for two years.
The responsibilities of the Dr. Ajit Singhvi Chair Professor at IIT Madras include:
Offer courses in the broad areas of Business Excellence, Corporate Governance, Global Business Management, Technology Management and Integrative Thinking to undergraduate/post-graduate students.
Support the research programs by mentoring and guiding MS/PhD students to develop insights into industrial applications.
Facilitate industry connect programs pertaining to training, brand building and consulting initiatives of the department.
