Highlights from the Innovation Forum

Credit: Sirin Samman/Columbia Engineering

image of neil daswani standing in front of a large monitor, his reflection showing behind him
audience members conversing with one another
speaker standing next to screen reading "The Paranoid Superpower: Securing AI in An Age of Acceleration"
two speakers addressing an audience
2 cheerful people standing in front of SEAS photo op
audience members speaking with speaker
audience members seated waiting for speaker
large group photo
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Fostering connections

To close the forum, Daswani encouraged students to draw on the strength of their peers and alumni networks throughout their entrepreneurial journey. He advised, “Perhaps some of the people that you interact with here at Columbia will be confidants in your path in life.” 

For Daswani, “paying it forward” is more than just speaking with students – it also includes creating new opportunities for them. With his former classmate, Gaurav "Gary" Makhija, he is establishing the Daswani and Makhija Scholarship Fund to support an undergraduate student in computer science during their time at Columbia. Inspired by their own experiences, the pair wanted to give back and help the next generation of engineers. 

Daswani hopes this motivates fellow alumni to help current and future students thrive. “As a Columbia alum, one of the things that I've experienced is a lot of support from other alums who have helped me make an impact in the world after completing my undergraduate degree,” he said. “One of the reasons that it's really important for the alumni community to come together is to help the current generation of students create all kinds of impact that they may not be able to do without our support.” 

Lead Photo Caption: Neil Daswani BS'96 speaks at Innovation Forum

Lead Photo Credit: Sirin Samman/Columbia Engineering

Scenes from a Memorable Weekend

Credit: Columbia University

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Four people dressed in semi-formal attire posing for a photo
Three CEAA awards medals resting in red boxes atop a table
Reunion officially kicked off with the Engineering Dean’s Alumni Welcome Dinner and CEAA Awards Presentation.
An alum shares his Class Day photo with Dean Chang at the CEAA Awards Dinner reception.
An alum shares his Class Day photo with Dean Chang at the CEAA Awards Dinner reception.
John Szymanski receiving a pin in his jacket lapel from CEAA President Reid Ellison
At the pre-dinner reception, CEAA President Reid Ellison BS’08 presented the Crossed Hammer award to John Szymanski, Class of 1980, for distinguished service to the CEAA.
Zvi Galil standing at a podium and addressing a crowded banquet hall.
Computer scientist Zvi Galil, dean emeritus of Columbia Engineering, received the Michael Pupin Medal. (L to R: Galil, Shipman, Ellison, Pupin Committee Chair Melissa McInerney BS’02, MS’05; and Dean Chang)
Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang, Thomas Caulfield, Ana Rodriguez, and Reid Ellison posing for a photo
GlobalFoundries Executive Chairman to the board of directors Thomas Caulfied BS’82, MS’84, EngScD’86 received the Thomas Egleston Medal. (L to R: Dean Chang, Dr. Caulfield, Egleston Committee Chair Ana Rodriguez BS’86, MS’88; and Ellison)
Shih-Fu Chang, Savio Tung, Dan Libby, and Reid Ellison posing for a photo
Savio Tung BS’73, chairman of Investcorp Technology Partners, received the Samuel Johnson Medal. (L to R: Dean Chang, Tung, past President of CEAA Board of Managers Dan Libby BS’82, MS’84; and Ellison)
10 people posing for a photo at a dinner table adorned with flowers, candles, and drink glasses
Seven alums of Columbia's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers posing for a photo
Alumni of Columbia’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers reconnected at the CEAA Awards Dinner. Pictured with Prof. Christine Hendon (far left).
Columbia Engineering alums eating finger food and conversing around a table
Alumni at the All Class Reception on Friday.
Five Columbia Engineering alums posing for a photo in front of a Columbia Engineering backdrop. Each of them holds up number signs to read "2000"
Two people posing for a photo
Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang standing at a podium in a crowded room
On Saturday, Dean Chang presented updates on the School at the Dean’s Breakfast and State of the Union address.
Four Columbia Engineering alumni sitting around a table and posing for a photo
Six people standing around a table with flowers and drink glasses
A big screen reads "The Class of 2035: Reimagining Education in the Age of AI" in front of a crowded auditorium
Attendees gathered for a discussion on preparing the next generation of learners in the age of AI with Vishal Mirsra, vice dean of computing and AI and professor of computer science, and Matthew Connelly, vice dean for AI initiatives.
Bonnie Silvera, Hardeep Johar, and Dan Libby posing for a photo in front of a window looking out at trees. Hardeep holds the Great Teacher Award trophy
Hardeep Johar, senior lecturer in industrial engineering and operations research, received the Great Teacher Award from the Society of Columbia Graduates. (L to R: CEAA Board member and Johnson Medal Committee Chair Bonnie Silvera BS’97, Johar, and Libby)
22 Columbia Engineering class of 1975 alums posing for a photo
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Tough Tech: Epibone

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Video: Jane Nisselson

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