Rensselaer International Alumni
Venezuela
Welcome to the Venezuela Alumni Web page!
Contact:
Napoleon Ferrer ’55
napoferrer@cantv.net
News & Updates
The Venezuelan Chapter of the Rensselaer Alumni Association ("the Chapter") was established in Caracas in 1999 with 233 founding members (three honorary members added later). The current president of the chapter is Mr. Napoleon Ferrer '55 (napoferrer@cantv.net). The current Board is composed of seven members and meets regularly to plan events and activities of significance to the local chapter with a focus on enhancing the image and overall missions of the Institute as outlined in The Rensselaer Plan.
Numerous eminent scientists and scholars, with ties to Rensselaer, have visited and addressed the Chapter. President Shirley Ann Jackson visited our Chapter in June 2001. She was accompanied by the Provost, several Deans and other high-ranking Rensselaer personnel. During her visit, Dr. Jackson signed exchange agreements with Simon Bolivar University and Metropolitan University. The highlight of Dr. Jackson's trip was an inspirational luncheon speech at the Intercontinental Hotel in Caracas to a large audience on the impact of science and technology on economic development, citing the example of The Rensselaer Plan. More recently, Dr. Raj Bawa '90, an adjunct assistant professor in the school of science at Rensselaer and an eminent nanotechnologist visited our Chapter on two separate occasions in 2005. The Chapter arranged his presentation on current trends in nanomedicine at Simon Bolivar University. He also visited the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC) where interest was expressed to cooperate in nanotechnology and virology. The Venezuelan Chapter stands ready to provide similar support to any future visitors from Rensselaer.
Being the first Chapter of the Rensselaer Alumni Association in Latin America, the Chapter has been instrumental in promoting the establishment of other Chapters in the region. In response to Dr. Jackson's direct request in this regard, contacts have been established with alumni in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Central America. The Chapter has also served as a vehicle for information transfer on research and other Rensselaer programs to interested parties within Venezuela.
During a recent visit to Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Raj Bawa '90 (third from left), a professor and eminent nanotechnologist, attended the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of Duncan Batteries, one of the largest manufacturers of batteries in South America. The company was founded by the grandfather of the current president, Silvano Gellini '67 (far right). His daughter Alexandra Gellini '02 (second from left), is a senior manger in the company. Also, shown above is Napoleon Ferrer '55 (far left), president of the Venezuelan Chapter of the Rensselaer Alumni Association and Erminia Favale (second from the right), an eminent architect of Venezuela.
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