AIA-NY Expands Partnership with Queensborough Community College Through Scholarships and Cultural Exchange

March 25 marked a continued expansion of educational collaboration between the Association of Indians in America – New York Chapter (AIA-NY) and Queensborough Community College (QCC), highlighted by new scholarships and cultural engagement initiatives.

AIA National Past President Dr. Urmilesh Arya and Dr. Yashpal Arya contributed $10,000 to fund ten scholarships of $1,000 each for students from low-income families enrolled in certificate and associate degree programs at QCC. According to a statement issued by AIA-NY, QCC is among the top-ranked community colleges in the City University of New York (CUNY) system and is located in Bayside, New York.

The Aryas presented the scholarship check to QCC President Dr. Christine Mangino, expressing appreciation for her leadership and the institution’s growing partnership with AIA-NY. They were joined at the ceremony by AIA-NY President Beena Kothari, Past President Dr. Jagdish Gupta, and community leaders, including Dr. Nirmal K. Mattoo, Chairman of the Indo American Arts Council.

“This collaboration with QCC started last year with the establishment of the Student Success Scholarship Fund, initiated with the support of AIA-NY leadership, the Arya Family Foundation and Dr. Jagdish Gupta,” the statement added. “Since then, 31 QCC students have been supported with scholarships during Holi and Deepavali celebrations at the campus. It reflects AIA-NY’s ongoing dedication to educational empowerment and community upliftment.”

Over the past year, AIA-NY and QCC have also jointly organized cultural events marking key Indian festivals, including Holi, the Festival of Colors, and Deepavali, the Festival of Lights. These celebrations brought together students, faculty, families, and community leaders, featuring music, dance, traditional hospitality, and cultural exchange.

On March 25, approximately 75 students of Indian origin participated in Holi celebrations on campus, using gulal. They were joined by around 50 members of the Indian American community invited by AIA-NY, including AIA National President Nilima Madan, Past President Gobind Munjal, Dr. Raj Modi, Harsh Vyas, Anita Thakkar, and newspaper editors Sunil Hali and Jasbir Jay Singh.

The ongoing collaboration with QCC represents a key milestone in AIA-NY’s efforts to expand educational access while promoting Indian cultural heritage through community engagement.

Founded in 1967, the AIA-NY chapter is among the oldest Indian American community organizations in the United States. It supports cultural preservation, education, and community service through a range of programs, scholarships, and events, with its annual Deepavali celebration in early October serving as a flagship initiative.

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