Pune’s COEP Technological University, renowned for its rich history and contributions to the field of engineering, recently celebrated the remarkable achievements of its distinguished alumni at the 31st COEP Abhiman Awards. The grand ceremony, held on September 14, was graced by the presence of Maharashtra Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, who attended as the Chief Guest.
The prestigious event brought together prominent personalities, including Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Chairman of the Board of Governance, Prof. S. D. Agashe, Vice Chancellor of COEP Tech, Bharat Gite, President of COEP Alumni Association, and Dr. Sujit Pardeshi, Secretary of the COEP Alumni Association.
The COEP Abhiman Awards, an annual tradition, recognized several accomplished individuals for their outstanding contributions. Among the notable awardees were:
- IPS Vivek Phansalkar: Commissioner of Police, Mumbai
- Ashish Achlerkar: Founder and CEO of NearU Services, US
- Arun Kudale: Technocrat Entrepreneur, Educationist, and Social Worker
- Chetan Dharia: Founder and MD of Anant Defense Systems Pvt. Ltd
- Ravi Bhatkal: Managing Director, India Element Solutions Inc and Cookson India Pvt. Ltd
- Vijay Patel: Outstanding Scientist, TD (CLAW), Aeronautical Development Agency, Bangalore
During the ceremony, Bharat Gite, President of COEP’s Alumni Association, highlighted the institution’s illustrious heritage and legacy. He emphasized that COEP stands as the third oldest engineering college in Asia, boasting a history spanning 170 years. Gite proudly acknowledged the generous donation of Rs 10 Crores made by Ashish Achlerkar to the university.
Gite also shared COEP’s plans for 2023, which include the introduction of Chair Professorship, the construction of a new hostel, support for the development of a second COEP location at Chikhali, and collaborations with top American and European universities. He expressed gratitude to the parents of Late Gauri Shah, who contributed Rs 5 Crores to COEP.
Ashish Achlerkar, an award recipient, delivered an inspiring speech reflecting on his professional journey. He underscored the importance of organizational core values and foundations in building successful businesses. Achlerkar expressed his commitment to future entrepreneurial endeavors focused on long-term, purpose-driven value creation.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, another awardee, fondly reminisced about his time at COEP, even humorously requesting improved canteen facilities to the audience’s amusement. He also recalled efforts during his student days to uphold the institution’s honor.
Minister Chandrakant Patil, in his address, emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing the National Education Policy (NEP). He highlighted initiatives to create Marathi content for various streams and mentioned software developed by IIT Mumbai to translate English into Marathi in real-time.
Patil stressed the importance of internships and industry participation in education, citing the development of the indigenous corona vaccine as an example of how research and innovation can benefit both the country and international relations.
Dr. Pramod Chaudhari shared details about COEP’s upcoming research and innovation park, urging COEP alumni to contribute their expertise and mentorship to current students. He emphasized the role of research and innovation in education.
Prof. S. D. Agashe, VC of COEP Technological University, highlighted the deep bond between alumni and their alma mater. He lauded Dr. Jaldeep Daulat’s significant donation of Rs 1.1 crore to establish an ultramodern AR-VR Lab. Prof. Agashe encouraged alumni to engage with current students, fostering mentorship and skill development.
The ceremony also recognized current COEP Tech students for their academic excellence, and Dr. Sujit Pardeshi delivered the vote of thanks.
The COEP Abhiman Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of COEP alumni, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and mentorship. The event was expertly hosted by Piyush Girgaonkar, serving as the master of ceremonies.
