New UCF Scholarship Strengthens Study of India

A new memorial scholarship honors Professor T.G. Srinivasan, a preeminent engineer from India who moved to Orlando in 1984. Established by his son, central Florida businessperson Kannan Srinivasan ‘96 (M.S.), the scholarship will provide financial support to UCF undergraduate students who plan on studying abroad in India or demonstrate an interest in India by volunteering at the India Center. Preference will be given to College of Sciences or College of Engineering and Computer Science students.

T.G. Srinivasan, who was involved with the Indian independence movement during college in the 1940s, began his career as an engineer in India. He was a respected engineer and, later, a professor. “He architected some of the leading water projects in India,” Kannan Srinivasan shares.

In 1960, he trained in water engineering in the United States with USAID. When he returned to India, he worked for the Indian Public Works Department, and designed the India Mark II Pump. This handpump was created in conjunction with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist developing countries access clean water. Later, with the help of the WHO, Professor Srinivasan facilitated the establishment of the Public Health Engineering Department in the College of Engineering, Guindy, where he also worked as a professor.

In 1984 he moved to Orlando to retire, and his love of education followed him. He spent considerable time on the UCF campus, interacting with many UCF engineering faculty members. “He loved UCF and always spent time in the UCF library,” Kannan Srinivasan says. “Many Indian professors at UCF knew him very well.”

Kannan Srinivasan and his family celebrated T.G. Srinivasan’s 100th birthday by creating the scholarship for students with an interest in India to honor his contributions to higher education.

“We are grateful for the generous support from the Srinivasan family. This scholarship will provide great opportunities for UCF students to get acquainted with India first-hand,” said Bruce Wilson, Ph.D., Director of the School of Politics, Security, International Affairs. “It will go a long way to furthering the mission of the India Center and the School of Politics, Security, International Affairs as students will be able to enrich their education through a study abroad in India.”