In Sep 2020, we established PICT's first alumni sponsored 3D Printing Lab.
On Jul 23, 2020 our founder and former Principal, Ramakrish Nidmarty, posted a request on his Facebook account to help raise funding for purchasing a SnapMaker 2.0 3D printer for PICT students. His dream was to start a 3D printing certificate course that would be taught to all PICT students and alumni.
Responding to his request a group of alumni from the 1990-1992 batch quickly mobilized funding and raised $2500 within 24 hours. They were able to purchase those printers and that started a chain of events that eventually led to four more 3D printers being purchased in Pune and a 3D printer lab established by the end of Sep 2020.
With the help of Principal Prahlad Kulkarni and Prof. Sheetal Sonawane (Indian Alumni Association lead), we identified Prof. Sunil Khot, Prof. Virendra Vishnudas Bagade and Prof. Hrish Hiwase to co-ordinate and run these 3D printing labs.
Prof. Hiwase was instrumental in ordering the printers from Amazon, getting them checked out. He had to exchange one of them since the display wasn't working. He was also instrumental in getting SolidWorks Software for 3D printing from Pelf Infotech in Pune. We have 30 licenses and he convinced the Pelf Infotech to donate first year free (worth about Rs.2.5 lakhs).
The team soon identified a few SE & TE students who were interested and helped assemble these printers. You can see the results of their efforts below.
Next steps are to build coursework and offer courses to existing PICT students and alumni in Pune. This will enhance the already great brand that PICT has in Pune & Maharashtra.
This is the first donation of any kind that PICT has received from their alumni. - Dr. Prahlad T Kulkarni, Director, PICT
Our heartfelt thanks to Sheetal, Virendra, Sunil and Hrishikesh. They are a great team and we look forward to working with them.
Thanks also to Principal Prahlad Kulkarni for fast-tracking all payments and procedures.
And finally,thanks to Ramakrishna Nidmarty, our beloved founder, for being the inspiration to us all and driving us to always do better.
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