A high-powered delegation of the Association of Indians in America (AIA), New York Chapter, led by its President Dr. Jagdish K Gupta recently met the Queensborough Community College (QCC) leaders to launch cultural and educational collaboration. The meeting with the premier CUNY institution marks a step in a new direction for the Association. 

Apart from Dr Gupta, the AIA-NY delegation included AIA-NY Vice President Beena Kothari, National AIA President Gobind Munjal, Past President and Advisor Smiti Khanna, Secretary Harsh Vyas, and other community leaders. 

The QCC team was led by President Dr. Christine Mangino. Chair of Chairs Prof. Nidhi Gadura, Director of Nursing Prof. Audrey Maroney, Prof. Michael D. Lawrence of Engineering Technology, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Stephen Di Dio, and Director of Development Sajedeh Sheerazi welcomed the AIA-NY delegation.

The delegation was given an exclusive look into two of QCC’s most distinguished departments – Engineering and Technology, and Nursing. At the Engineering and Technology Department, Prof. Michael D Lawrence introduced the delegates to the latest advancements in 3D printing technology, including the department’s collaborative project with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The project focuses on creating 3D models of cancerous tissues generated from MRI and CAT scan images which will aid surgical teams in precise cancer treatment planning.

Established in 1967, the Nursing Program of QCC’s Nursing Department is a highly esteemed and ACEN-accredited course, with state-of-the-art simulation labs. The delegation was impressed with the labs’ interactive mannequins representing adult patients, pregnant mothers, pediatric cases, and newborns. Prof. Audrey Maroney explained its comprehensive nursing curriculum in detail, while also showcasing the Jackson and Muriel Lum Nursing Resource Lab, where students train with cutting-edge simulation computers.

The AIA-NY pledged to set up a scholarship fund to support education at QCC with an initial donation of $10,000, inspired by the visit. The ‘Student Success Scholarship Fund’, with its initial donation will support 10 scholarships of $1,000 each. The scholarship will cover tuition, course materials, and essential educational expenses, assisting students from low-income families enrolled in certificate or associate degree programs in funding their education. 

The AIA-NY leadership proudly presented the check to QCC President Dr. Mangino, reiterating their commitment to future educational and cultural collaborations. Keeping with the spirit of cultural partnerships, QCC will be celebrating Holi this spring and Diwali later in the year. Dr Gupta said, “…reflecting the rich diversity of Queens, QCC is an ideal partner for cultural and educational collaboration with AIA-NY.”

AIA, founded in 1967, works to improve the lives of Asian Indians while also promoting India’s rich tradition and culture. Queensborough Community College in Bayside, New York, is a top-ranked, fully accredited two-year college known for its extraordinary performance in assisting low-income students to advance in life. Its students come from approximately 110 nations and speak more than 60 languages, with 30 per cent being of Indian descent. 

This partnership underscores the start of a strong alliance between AIA-NY and QCC, championing student success and cultural exchange. Both organizations look forward to working together to enrich students’ academic experiences while celebrating India’s vibrant heritage. 

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