Founder’s Story
The story of VK NIST is a story of love, sacrifice, and a dream carried across continents.
A Life Rooted in Learning and Service
VK NIST traces its roots to Mrs. Uruthiradchy Kathirgamanathan, a retired teacher, and her husband Mr. Veerasingam Kathirgamanathan, a retired electrical engineer. Together, they lived a life of discipline, humility, and service. During their working years, they saved money little by little to build a three‑storey building in their village, often doing work themselves to reduce costs.
That building is now the home of VK NIST.
A New Chapter in the United States
After her husband passed away, Mrs. Uruthiradchy moved to the United States in 2016 to live with her daughter and son‑in‑law. She became part of their daily routines—dropping off and picking up her grandchildren from high schools and universities, attending their events, and visiting campuses where they studied engineering and medicine.
She was deeply moved by the technology, facilities, and opportunities available to students in America. Every visit to a university strengthened her desire to bring similar opportunities to the children of her village in Chulipuram.
Even after moving to the US, she visited Sri Lanka every year, carrying this dream in her heart.
A Peaceful Goodbye
In March 2020, during one of her visits to Sri Lanka, Mrs. Uruthiradchy passed away peacefully in her own village on March 16, 2020. Due to COVID‑19 travel restrictions, her other children and their families were unable to attend the funeral.
Her beloved son, Mr. Sivathasan, who was with her in Sri Lanka, carried out all final ceremonies and cremation with deep devotion and love. Her passing left a profound void—but her dream remained alive.
A Daughter’s Promise
After COVID‑19, her daughter Suguna Sivarajah returned to Sri Lanka in September 2022. Standing inside her parents’ building, she made a decision: she would bring her mother’s dream to life.
The early days were extremely difficult. She faced emotional pain, financial strain, and overwhelming responsibilities. At one point, she felt she could not continue. But the local community stepped in—relatives, neighbors, teachers, and volunteers—lifting her up and helping her move forward.
The People Who Made It Possible
Many individuals played a crucial role in shaping VK NIST. Among them, Mr. Ashoke Sivaranjan stands out as a remarkable example of service and dedication. Despite needing assistance for his own daily activities, he continues to run numerous charity initiatives in Chulipuram. He is a powerful role model for how a person should live—with service, courage, and compassion.
Ashoke brought together a strong team for VK NIST:
- Mr. Navaneethan Sri
- Ms. Gayathiri (Teacher)
- Mr. Kapilan
These individuals work tirelessly to support the organization and bring positive impact to the community.
Other notable supporters include:
- Victoria College Principal, Ms. Sulapamathy
- Mr. & Mrs. Haran (aunty and family)
- Mr. Kannan and family (Chiththappa)
The village itself is a relative network—everyone is connected in many ways. This close-knit community became the backbone of VK NIST.
Please excuse us if any names are missed—there are many who have contributed to this journey.
A Growing Legacy
VK NIST has now conducted multiple annual award ceremonies:
- 1st Annual Award Ceremony – Chief Guest: Dr. Suren, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. From the VK NIST family side, Mr. Murugathasan (son of the founders) traveled from Germany.
- 2nd Annual Award Ceremony – Chief Guest: Dr. Ganeshwaran, Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna. From the VK NIST family side, Mrs. Murugathasan and children participated.
- 3rd Annual Award Ceremony – Planned for May 2nd, 2026.
All events have been successfully organized by the VK NIST team, honoring the founders’ legacy and celebrating the achievements of students.
