In the United States, the Somaiya community continues to demonstrate that the most enduring institutions are built not only through campuses and classrooms, but through relationships that span continents and generations. This spirit was on full display in February 2026, when alumni, academic leaders and members of the extended Somaiya family came together for a warm and intellectually vibrant combined gathering for New York and New Jersey. The evening was more than a reunion. It was a reaffirmation of a shared belief that the Somaiya journey does not end at graduation; it evolves into a lifelong connection rooted in curiosity, collaboration and purpose.
The gathering built on a series of successful engagements held across Michigan, Los Angeles, the Bay Area and Boston in late 2025, reflecting the steady growth of an increasingly connected and influential Somaiya network in the United States. Among those who addressed the community were Dr Abhishek Ghosh, Dean, Faculty of Dharma Studies, K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies and Siddharth Somaiya, Chairman, Board of Studies, Dr S K Somaiya School of Arts, Somaiya Vidyavihar University.
Siddharth Somaiya shared his perspective on the evolving landscape of art and design education in India and Somaiya’s ambition to help shape its next chapter. He spoke about the importance of nurturing creativity as a serious academic and societal force, one that is central to building institutions capable of responding to the complexity of the modern world. Dr Ghosh offered an equally compelling vision as he spoke about K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies at Somaiya Vidyavihar University. His reflections underscored the continuing relevance of India’s intellectual traditions and their role in fostering ethical, reflective and deeply grounded leadership.
Together, their messages pointed to a clear and ambitious direction for the institution: a future in which engineering, business, science, humanities and the arts intersect to create well-rounded individuals equipped to lead with both competence and conscience.
At the heart of the evening was a powerful sense of continuity as Somaiya continues to honour its roots while expanding its horizons, drawing strength from a global community that remains deeply invested in the institution’s journey. The New York and New Jersey gathering was spearheaded by the Somaiya Alumni Relations office and supported by the efforts of a committed group of alumni champions who played an instrumental role in bringing the Somaiya community together. Our special thanks to Aditya Chaudhari, Manasi Paradkar, Sukhdev Saini, Suchit Apage, Kavita Dave, Jay Bhanushali and Kunj Mehta who helped create an evening that reflected the warmth, energy and shared purpose of the Somaiya network in the United States.
A Community That Creates Opportunity
The strength of the Somaiya network lies not only in its ability to reconnect people, but also in its capacity to create meaningful opportunities. A striking example comes from Harshal Nahane, a Boston based Somaiya Alum, who recently played a pivotal role in facilitating a strategic partnership and investment engagement between PrepSOM and Unique System Skills.
The collaboration emerged through a blend of trusted relationships, ecosystem visibility and a shared belief in the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Harshal had been in ongoing discussions with the leadership of Unique System Skills about integrating AI-driven capabilities into staffing and training workflows. Around the same time, through introductions and startup visibility facilitated by RIIDL, PrepSOM emerged as a natural fit.
Special acknowledgement goes to Hetal Mundra, Community Architect, RIIDL (Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory) – whose sharing of the RIIDL startup list became the catalyst for these conversations. What followed was not a conventional startup investment. Instead, the partnership was designed as a strategic collaboration that combined enterprise deployment with real-world product validation.
For PrepSOM, the engagement provides an opportunity to refine and scale its GenAI-powered hiring platform within live staffing environments. For Unique System Skills, it opens the door to advanced candidate evaluation and hiring optimization capabilities powered by artificial intelligence.
The engagement was structured around phased growth and operational milestones, with a clear focus on responsible scaling, practical deployment and long-term value creation. Harshal’s contribution extended across commercial discussions, operational alignment and partnership structuring. His ability to connect strategic intent with execution helped transform an early-stage opportunity into a robust ecosystem-driven collaboration.
The Somaiya Advantage
Whether through alumni gatherings in New York and New Jersey or entrepreneurial partnerships spanning continents, the power of the Somaiya community to open doors, spark ideas and create lasting impact is evident.
These stories are reminders that Somaiya’s influence extends far beyond its campuses. It lives in the ambitions of its alumni, the generosity of its champions and the collaborations that emerge when people are united by a shared sense of purpose.
As the Somaiya community continues to grow across the world, so does its capacity to shape conversations, build institutions and contribute meaningfully to society.
Learn more about our work and initiatives: https://somaiyafoundation.org/en
Read More :
Somaiya Alumni USA Reunion – Three Cities. Two Coasts. One Community. Infinite Connections.
Somaiya Alumni Boston Reunion – A Night of Ideas & New Beginnings
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