The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda marked a momentous occasion with the inauguration of the Professor VM Shah Seminar Hall at the Faculty of Science.
The event, held at 5:00 PM, witnessed the gracious presence of distinguished dignitaries, including the Chancellor of the University, Rajmata Subhangini Raje Gaekwad, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vijay Srivastav, Guest of Honor Shri Rakesh Patel, Vice-President of Schott Poonawala Private Limited, a representative from Professor V.M. Shah's family, and the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Haribhai Kataria.
The ceremony commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the esteemed dignitaries, symbolizing the dawn of a new era for the Faculty of Science.
Professor Haribhai Kataria, Dean of the Faculty of Science, initiated the function with a warm welcome address.
He elaborated on the meticulous planning that went into the creation of the seminar hall, a project initiated four years ago with the generous support of numerous donors.
Prof. Kataria highlighted the profound contributions of Professor V.M. Shah to the fields of mathematics and science, as well as his enduring legacy within the department.
He acknowledged the significant role of the Prof. V.M. Shah Charitable Trust, established after Professor Shah's passing, in supporting the faculty's endeavors. Notably, on September 21, 2021, Professor Shah’s family, including his four daughters, donated 14 lakhs, while Shri Rakesh Patel contributed 21 lakhs for the comprehensive development of the seminar hall.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vijay Srivastav commended the Shah family's generosity and celebrated Professor Shah’s illustrious achievements.
He emphasized the global reputation of the university for its quality-based education, a vision originally set forth by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad. Prof. Srivastav expressed gratitude to both the donors and alumni, underscoring the university’s commitment to nurturing values and producing constructive students to realize the vision of "Vikshit Bharat by 2047".
He concluded his speech by sharing his Sankalp Sutras, inspiring the audience with his vision for the university's future.
Chancellor Rajmata Shubhangi Raje Gaekwad expressed her delight at the new addition to the Faculty of Science, recognizing the vital role of donors in this achievement.
She highlighted the seminar hall's potential to enhance the educational experience for both faculty and students by providing a venue for seminars and conferences. Rajmata Gaekwad praised the decision to name the hall after Professor V.M. Shah, acknowledging his significant contributions to the faculty.
She reflected on Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad’s vision, encouraging students to give back to society in meaningful ways.
The Chancellor emphasized the need for continued infrastructure development across all university faculties to meet contemporary educational demands.
The dignitaries were honored with gifts and shawls by the department, and the engineering staff was also recognized with gifts for their contributions.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Head of the Department of Statistics, acknowledging the efforts of everyone involved in making the inauguration a resounding success.
This inaugural event signifies a major milestone for the Faculty of Science and the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, promising a future of enriched learning and academic excellence.