Late Dr. Ranjit Singh (BT/MME/1965) was one of the most esteemed alumni of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. He began his career in the semiconductor industry in Silicon Valley and later joined Allied Chemical. In 1979, he led the development of cubic zirconia and went on to become a global leader in artificial diamonds. He subsequently founded Ranjit Singh Corp. in New Jersey, supplying artificial diamond jewelry and other precious gems. He earned his Doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
Dr. Singh strongly believed in growth and prosperity for all. To carry forward his philosophy, he established the Ranjit Singh Foundation at IIT Kanpur, which supports twelve scholarships for students from humble backgrounds. The Foundation also supports the Ranjit Singh Chair at IITK and the Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra. His philanthropic initiatives have transformed many lives and made a lasting impact on society. The Ranjit Singh Chair for Rozi Shiksha Kendra was instituted to continue his vision of inclusive growth and educational empowerment.