Student’s success

Valsad’s Kayzad Jimmy Vajifdar obtained his doctorate in chemical engineering from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, USA in 2007, as per a write-up penned by his former school teacher Aloo Adi Driver and forwarded to Parsiana by Sam R. Chothia, managing trustee, Valsad Parsi Anjuman Trust Funds. As per Lamar University’s website, Vajifdar was one of 18 students of that University who earned their doctorates last year. Earlier, in 2002, Vajifdar had passed his masters in chemical engineering from the same University.

Kayzad Vajifdar: ranking high

Born in Bombay in 1977, Vajifdar received his primary education at St Xavier’s High School, Ahmedabad as his father was employed by Tata Advance Mills in that textile hub. Vajifdar then completed his secondary schooling at Valsad’s St Joseph’s English Teaching High School, obtaining merit in his school leaving examination. From there he proceeded to Amravati University and passed out in 1999, ranking third in the Bachelor of Engineering degree from the chemical engineering stream.

During his academic career Vajifdar earned several scholarships and certificates, recalls Driver. In 2000 he received the Dean’s scholarship at Lamar University for graduate studies. He served as president of the Friends of India Association in 2002 and in 2003 he received a certificate for Fundamentals of Engineering.

Driver exults that the Zoroastrians of Valsad are proud of Vajifdar’s success and lists other notable Zoroastrians who originated from that seaside town in Gujarat. Among these are the late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, late Lt Gen Adi Sethna, former president of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman, and solicitor Eruch B. Desai, former chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet.