Sheridan celebrates gift to support students in engineering programs

Sheridan recently welcomed a $100,000 gift from the Vijay Anand Foundation which will directly support awards and scholarships within the electrical and mechanical engineering programs.  

The awards aim to inspire the next generation of learners throughout their studies, and as they embark on their careers in engineering – a field where foundation Director Anand Jain flourished after immigrating to Canada.  

After many years of business success within the electrical engineering field, Anand and Vijay Jain made the decision to give back to their community by establishing the Vijay Anand Foundation. Since its beginnings in 1995, the foundation has grown exponentially and their dedication to philanthropy continues to inspire many students. 

“I am incredibly grateful to the Vijay Anand Foundation for their generosity and vision to inspire Sheridan’s students within both the electrical and mechanical engineering programs,” says Dr. Elizabeth Fabbroni, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology. “Our learners create high caliber work, and thanks to the Vijay Anand Foundation, their academic achievement will be rewarded for years to come.” 

Over the next 10 years, the foundation will support students through The Avnan Award of Excellence, The Avnan Scholarship, and The Anand Jain Electrical/Electronic Technology Excellence Award. Three of Sheridan’s electrical engineering programs will be supported through this suite of awards and scholarships.  

Additionally, the Avnan Capstone Award for Engineering Technology will support two awards at the Capstone Showcase for Mechanical and Electronics Engineering. 

The Vijay Anand Foundation began 20 years after Anand Jain, wife Vijay and their three sons moved from Montreal to Mississauga, Ontario. Anand worked successfully as a senior certification engineer with CSA for 13 years before deciding to fulfill his dream of starting his own business and founding GEEJAY Group and Avnan Electro Inc (a global supplier of electrical components). After growing his business by creating multiple innovative product designs over many years, the Jains established the Vijay Anand Foundation to support charities, hospital foundations, food banks, international organizations, social services, and academic institutions.  

The Jain family has always believed in the power of education and were mindful of instilling this in their three sons from a young age. Their three sons chose the engineering field, with two eventually following in their father’s footsteps and taking over the family’s business upon his retirement. Jain says he is proud to be offering Sheridan’s best and brightest students the opportunity to achieve success early in their careers.  

“Innovation in engineering brings great progress to humanity,” says Anand. 

Pictured (left to right): Elizabeth Fabbroni, Dean, FAST; Anuj Jain, Anand Jain and Vijay Jain, Vijay Anand Foundation; Amjed Majeed, Associate Dean, FAST.