NRI
Daljit Ahluwalia mathematician, honoured at his 75th Birthday
New York, May 21, 2008
Yogesh Mehta
NRI Daljit Ahluwalia, the visionary, vibrant and
longtime chair of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)’s
Department of Mathematical Sciences, was honored on May 19, 2008
for his pivotal role in dramatically raising the department’s
status on campus and in the nation. Now, NJIT Mathematics Ranked
in Top Ten Nationally.
Celebration Organizing Committee included Manish Bhattacharjee,
Denis Blackmore, Amitabha Bose, Fadi P. Deek, Gregory A. Kriegsmann,
Zoi-Heleni Michalopoulou, Robert M. Miura, Farzan Nadim, Demetrius
Papageorgiou, and Michael Siegel was formed to honor and award
on the occasion of Ahluwahlia’s 75th birthday before more
than 200 leading academics from around the world.
NJIT President Robert Altenkirch said, “We all thank Daljit
for his many contributions in building one of the most accomplished
teams in applied mathematics in the world today.”
Michael Siegel, PhD, professor of mathematical sciences and chair
of the event said, “Daljit is very special to many people
at NJIT and he has spent two decades creating a vibrant and collegial
environment in which to pursue research and teaching. We are fortunate
to be the recipients of his vision and legendary energy."
Mr. Ahluwalia arrived at NJIT in 1986 to lead the department,
following more than a decade of work at the famed Courant Institute
for the Mathematical Sciences at New York University. Since then,
the math department faculty has increased in numbers by 100 percent,
the physical space has grown 300 percent and the computing power
has increased by factor of one million.
On a daily basis, he can be found walking the halls of the department
keeping a watchful and nurturing eye on the faculty and students,
mentoring his younger faculty and solving administrative and academic
problems in real time. Perhaps even more compelling, is the sight
of Professor Ahluwalia practicing what he preaches.
New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey's science and
technology university, enrolls more than 8,000 students in bachelor's,
master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 100 degree programs offered
by six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, New Jersey School
of Architecture, College of Science and Liberal Arts, School of
Management, Albert Dorman Honors College, and College of Computing
Sciences.
During his service to NJIT:
- He helped to increase departmental research funding from nearly
nothing to over $2 million per year in federal funding.
- Transition from a primarily teaching and service department
to a top ten research department
- Started New degrees: BS in Applied Mathematics, MS in Applied
Statistics, PhD in Mathematical Sciences, and (pending final
approval) MS in Biostatistics and BS in Computational Sciences.
- Recruited outstanding junior faculty
- Principal Investigator on over a half dozen equipment grants
from the National Science Foundation
- Established a collegial and scholarly atmosphere for study
and research that encourages excellence.
He spent 22 years of service to NJIT and his family
is pleased to announce the establishment of the D. S. Ahluwalia
Doctoral Fellowship Endowment in Mathematical Sciences.
Answering to media, Mr. Ahluwaliahe said:
- NRIs (Indian Americans) are making a mark in the US in every
field
- Mathematics is finding valuable applications in all walks
of life, including business and law
- Unfortunately, India is lagging behind in applied mathematics
- I have no planning to retire, as long as I am able to contribute
to the department and health permits
- He has not faced any discrimination in his professional life
though he is aware that people of his religion are targeted
in the country.
I have advice to my community:
- Do not allow it to stop you from aspiring and succeeding in
life.
- Educate the community at large about your faith.
- Fight it.
NJIT and The National Science Foundation, Society for Mathematical
Biology and NJIT have provided support for the event.
