Event 01 · The Scarlet Recap, Fall 2026

Welcome Week

31 August – 3 September 2026

Illinois Tech Mumbai, Vikhroli

Four days that opened the semester at Illinois Tech Mumbai.

Starts: Mon 31 Aug
Ends: Thu 3 Sep
Duration: 4 days
Where: Illinois Tech Mumbai, Vikhroli

The four days

Day by day, from the first hello to the end of the week.

Day 1Monday, 31 August

New faces, first hellos and two rings of strangers

Stepping into the campus as the founding cohort, students were met with anticipation, excitement and new faces. As the check-in process went by, everyone had put on their social masks and gotten on with introducing themselves to the people around them, trying to form new friendships and connections.

The morning sessions of the first day were dedicated to the parents. Most hostel students arrived with their families and together they sat through the explanations on the rules, regulations and what was expected of the students attending this college. That’s when reality hit them, and they finally moved onto the next big chapter of their lives.

the first morning, families and allThe morning session for students and parents

Later in the day, Mr. Procyon Mukherjee, a distinguished leader in Supply Chain Management and Logistics who has led operations at organisations such as Philips and Hindalco, addressed the students with warmth and grace. He explained his role as a Chief Procurement Officer and shared personal anecdotes to encourage students to stay curious and treat failures as lessons, he also urged them to build a strong skill set and be the best in their domain.

With his words fresh in mind, everyone became more comfortable with themselves in the new environment.

stay curious, and treat failures as lessonsKeynote address: Mr. Procyon Mukherjee

To help students feel at ease, Mr. Chintan Parekh, a renowned entertainment businessman was called to host the icebreaker activities. It started with the students forming two concentric rings, and turning to face a partner for rapid-fire introductions, in which each one spoke about themselves and their future goals, as instructed by the host.

Through this activity, not only did each one meet a great amount of new people, but also gained the confidence to talk to strangers about their ambitions and goals.

two rings, a hundred introductionsIcebreakers hosted by Mr. Chintan Parekh

The activity ended with everyone writing thoughtful notes about three people they spoke to, and personifying each one with an object. Everyone was then divided into teams of 14, where their first task was to come up with a unique name and slogan for their team.

Finally, they were briefed on the next day’s task so that they could prepare beforehand while also strengthening their synergy. And as the day came to a close, the students were filled with unforgettable memories and excitement for what was next.

notes for three new friends

pens out, names remembered
Day 2Tuesday, 1 September

CEOs for a day, and a meeting with Mr. Jamshyd Godrej

Day 2 began with students walking in with clear game plans for the day’s task. They had been asked to pose as the CEO of various companies and make a cinematic video of it as a compilation for different companies in the godrej business park.

Once the timer began, almost everyone rushed outside to take their respective videos in front of the offices in the godrej business park. The campus was bustling with energy and ideas.

CEO for a day

As the last second was approached, everyone was back at their workstation to complete their editing work. After the hurried submission, anticipation took over each and every individual for the final judgement and display. Soon, they got to see each other’s creativity and hardwork, while also learning how they can do better.

fourteen to a team

Right after the break they got to hear an ever so inspiring life story of Ms. Deepa Kumar (Head of APAC Country Risk, S&P Global Market Intelligence) where the main learnings were to grab every opportunity and to be curious.

grab every opportunity, and be curiousKeynote address: Ms. Deepa Kumar, Director, Head of APAC Country Risk, S&P Global Market Intelligence

Soon after, the moment everybody was waiting for - meeting Mr. Jamshyd Godrej himself. The excitement could be gauged by the various questions everyone had for him and the reciprocated detailed answers.

The day ended by getting the next task, which was to fulfill day 2’s task by using AI.

the moment everybody was waiting forMr. Jamshyd Godrej
Day 3Wednesday, 2 September

Leadership, AI films and a carnival night

Day 3 began with an engaging conversation on leadership and the far-sightedness it seeks in a world that is being reshaped by the rise of AI and technology. The session hosted Mr. Ravi Lambah, Head, India at Temasek International and Head of Strategic Initiatives, in conversation with Mr. Shyamal Gupta, the Chief Operating Officer at Illinois Tech Mumbai.

He shared multiple profound insights on navigating the ever-changing world and his own approach towards adapting to it and staying ahead. He gave valuable inputs on finance and the investment banking industry, and also cleared the students’ doubts with ease and poise.

After a short break, the students joined the university’s Vice Provost, Mr. Kevin W. Cassel, who addressed them with grace as he talked about the academic expectations and support the students can look forward to here.

Shortly after lunch, the students welcomed the renowned AI filmmaker and FTII graduate, Mr. Rajesh Bhatia, who talked about the future of the filmmaking industry with the surge of AI content.

academic expectationsVice Provost Mr. Kevin W. Cassel

the future of film, with AIAI filmmaker Mr. Rajesh Bhatia

As the students gathered once again, they were filled with nerves and excitement as every team was about to present their AI made campus videos they had curated the night before, on the big screen. The videos were reviewed by Mr. Bhatia and the faculty members, who shared crucial inputs, and scored each team on the basis of their creativity and execution.

Mr. Bhatia then screened two of his own AI short films, which enlightened and inspired students to think bigger and push their ideas further.

AI-made, on the big screenTeams presenting their AI campus videos

As the jitters wore off, the students were ready to have a little fun. A series of carnival games followed, which helped students let loose and unwind. The day culminated with an upbeat DJ set that had everyone dance the evening away!

one more throw

dancing the evening away
Day 4Thursday, 3 September

A talent show, and kind words on every back

Day 4 began with the university’s vice provost, Kevin Cassel, who walked the students through every program on offer, for both undergraduate and master’s students. He explained how the exchange and transfer programs work, giving students a clear picture of the opportunities available to them. He also introduced the faculty for each course and shared a little about who they are and what they bring to the classroom. By the end of the session students had a much better idea of what the years ahead of them might look like.

After the break, the energy in the room changed, Mr. Chintan Parekh, hosted a talent show, and some members of his team performed as a live band, singing popular songs that got the whole crowd singing along. Between those songs students were invited up to the stage to showcase their talents. Some performed in groups and played their own instruments, while others sang solo with the band playing the music behind them. Whenever the stage was free, the band picked up another crowd favorite to keep the energy high. It was an afternoon of nervous smiles, loud cheering and plenty of new friendships.

the whole crowd singing alongThe talent show, with the live band

their own instruments

a solo, with a guitar

The day ended with a simple activity that stayed with everyone. Every student and faculty member pinned a sheet of paper on their back, and everyone was free to write something kind on anyone’s back, whether they knew the person or not. Students wrote on faculty members’ backs and on other students’ backs and vice versa for the faculty members.

In everyday life, it’s all too common for people to speak ill of others when they are not around. This activity turned that idea around. Instead of saying something unkind behind the person’s back, write something kind on it. Within minutes, the hall was alive with laughter, scribbling pens, and students racing to read what had been written about them. Papers were passed around, smiles got wider, and the orientation week wrapped up on a joyful note that everyone carried out with them!

something kind, on every back