Florida Atlantic University May 24 announced that its College of Engineering and Computer Science has received a $500,000 gift from the Gangal family’s nonprofit foundation to establish an endowed scholarship fund for engineering graduate students with an emphasis on bioengineering research.
The “Gangal Family Endowed Scholarship Fund” will support talented students as they prepare for professional careers in STEM, the university noted in a news report.
“There is a tremendous need to fill an increasing number of available jobs in engineering and high technology fields,” said Stella N. Batalama, dean of FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, in a statement.
“This most generous gift we have received to establish the ‘Gangal Family Endowed Scholarship Fund’ will help us to develop a robust talent pipeline in this region and beyond to meet the needs of 21st century economy, where STEM-related jobs will be in high demand.”
Shiva and Sneh Lata Gangal established their nonprofit foundation in 2014 in Coconut Creek. Indian American entrepreneur Shiva Gangal served as CEO of Tri State Engineering & Management Company from 1983 to 2001, an engineering design and construction company in West Virginia. He received his master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science in 1957.
Sneh Lata Gangal also served as secretary and treasurer of Tri State Engineering & Management Company from 1983 to 2001 and received her B.S. degree from Agra University. Their daughter, Anjali Gangal, is vice president of Branch Banking & Trust Co., operating two banking branches in Fort Lauderdale.
“We are very excited to partner with FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science to support their talented students as well as their innovative research and engineering programs,” said Shiva Gangal in the university report. “In an increasingly complex world, we must ensure that Florida and the United States will be able to provide our STEM workforce and leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to help solve challenging problems that impact us globally.”
FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science offers 21 degree programs on the Boca Raton campus. Master’s degree programs include bioengineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and ocean engineering.
The college’s doctorate programs include computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and ocean engineering. In addition, the college offers special master’s degree offerings including an M.S. in information technology and management; an M.S. in civil engineering with a minor in business; an M.S. in computer engineering and computer science with a minor in business; an M.S. in mechanical engineering with a minor in business; and an M.S. in ocean engineering with a minor in business, according to the university.