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The magazine of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science

Giving Back: Pradeep Sindhu

BY Mark W. Dorgan - Mon, 2013-04-08 18:04

As founder, vice chairman and chief technology officer of Juniper Networks, Pradeep Sindhu has his eyes on sustainable business models and the bottom line. But Sindhu (CS'83,'84) remains a computer scientist at heart, with an interest both in the design of complex systems and in the work of the School of Computer Science. Recipient of an alumni achievement award in 2008, Sindhu says he values the connections he maintains with SCS.

In his role as Juniper's CTO, Sindhu is responsible for outlining the company's technical needs and developing future projects. Among the most important benefits of his CMU education was the foundation it provided for his career--a solid grounding both in the fundamentals of computer science and the technologies behind computer systems.

His involvement runs deep at SCS, from supporting a graduate fellowship, to hosting CMU's Silicon Valley Network Night events at Juniper's Santa Clara facilities in 2012 and 2013, to speaking on campus and facilitating delivery of Juniper's networking equipment to the Gates and Hillman Centers.

Sindhu says his involvement is motivated by a desire to give back and share his experiences. That's been manifested in gifts such as the one that created the Pradeep Sindhu Graduate Fellowship to provide support to a graduate student in the Computer Science Department. "It's a great way to stay in touch with students who are experiencing the rewards and challenges of earning a Ph.D.," he says.

Severin Hacker, a recipient of the Sindhu fellowship, had the opportunity to meet Pradeep during his visit to campus in the fall of 2011. "Pradeep Sindhu stands not only for outstanding technological achievement, but also exceptional entrepreneurial achievement," Hacker says. "Given Pradeep's professional and technological accomplishments, I'm very grateful to receive the Sindhu Fellowship."

Hosting Network Nights provides Sindhu with a way to help CMU build its presence in Silicon Valley--where a large number of alumni work and live--and promote the university's Southern California campus. Juniper's involvement for two consecutive years is a direct result of Sindhu's interest.

"CMU depends on its alumni for continued success," Sindhu says. "I feel strongly that alumni owe it to CMU and SCS to stay involved and provide philanthropic support."

Nearly 48,000 donors have made almost 222,000 individual gifts to the university as a part of Carnegie Mellon's "Inspire Innovation" Campaign, which has now raised $1.11 billion. About $560.3 million has gone into the university's endowment.

Until June 30, you can be a part of this historic milestone for CMU. To find out how you can help the School of Computer Science through scholarships, fellowships, faculty support or gifts to the Gates and Hillman Centers, please contact me at mdorgan [atsymb] cmu.edu or call me at 412-268-8576. You can learn more about the Inspire Innovation campaign by visiting www.cmu.edu/campaign.