SM Sehgal Foundation is present in more than 700 Indian villages.
Rajat Jay Sehgal, executive vice president of the Sehgal Foundation and a trustee of the SM Sehgal Foundation, has received the University of Iowa’s International Impact Award.
The award, which recognizes “distinguished alumni and other individuals with significant ties” to the school “who have made important contributions internationally,” was presented by University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld at an event held at Iowa City, IA, on November 13, during the International Education Week.
Established in 2010, the award honors exceptional individuals who have made sustained and deep contributions — internationally or in the United States — to promote global understanding.
The Sehgal Foundation, based in Des Moines, IA, and SM Sehgal Foundation, based in Gurgaon, India, were founded by Indian American agricultural scientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Suri Sehgal and his wife, Edda.
“This is not a celebration for my receiving the award, but… a celebration of work the Sehgal Foundation and the University of Iowa do together,” Jay Sehgal, who graduated from the university in BBA management sciences in 1986, said while accepting the award.
The Sehgal Foundation is partnering with the University of Iowa to provide students from the school hands-on learning opportunities through a study abroad program known as “India Winterim.”
“I am pleased to have accepted the 2018 International Impact Award on behalf of SM Sehgal Foundation (India), Sehgal Foundation (USA) and all donors and supporters of our work with the rural communities in India,” Jay Sehgal told the American Bazaar. “I am deeply indebted to Dr. Suri Sehgal and Mrs. Edda Sehgal for their guidance and also for giving me the opportunity to represent the Sehgal Foundation.”
SM Sehgal Foundation is present in more than 700 Indian villages, working in the areas of rural governance, water management and agricultural development. It tries to address water security, food security and social justice, three critical and interrelated issues in rural India.
The university noted that the foundation “designs and promotes rural development interventions that create opportunities, build resilience, and provide solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in India’s poorest communities.”
The award ceremony was followed by a panel discussion titled, “Educational Cross-fertilization: the Iowa/India Connection.”