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Indian American couple endows fellowship at UT Dallas
Gift establishes graduate fellowship and names collaboration space at the university's Jonsson School
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 28, Jul 2026
- 17:39 EDT
- 61
Nishi and Jyoti P. Bhatia MS’77 (seated) celebrated the naming of the collaboration space named in their honor alongside friends, family and UT Dallas faculty and staff at an event in June. / news.utdallas.edu
An Indian American couple, Jyoti P. Bhatia and Nishi Bhatia, established a new endowed fellowship for graduate students at The University of Texas at Dallas, the university announced.
The Nishi and Jyoti P. Bhatia Fellowship will provide financial assistance to graduate students who have demonstrated academic ability, determination and potential but face financial barriers. The university said the fellowship's first recipients will be selected this fall.
Also Read: Indian American alumnus endows research awards at IIT Kharagpur
The university will also name the first-floor study area in the Engineering and Computer Science West building the Nishi and Jyoti P. Bhatia Collaboration Space in honor of the contribution. The space was formally dedicated during a June 9 ceremony, recognizing the couple's commitment to supporting future engineers and computer scientists.
University officials said the gift reflects the Bhatias' belief in education as a pathway to opportunity while creating a space designed to foster collaboration, creativity and innovation among students.
"This is a very meaningful day for my husband and myself," Nishi Bhatia told the university. "We are honored to have our names associated with this collaboration space, and we accept this recognition with gratitude, appreciation and pride."
She said the fellowship is intended to support students "who have demonstrated ability, determination and potential but who may face financial barriers beyond their control."
"Education remains one of the most powerful ways to transform lives. It allows individuals to develop their talents, expand their horizons, and build a better future for themselves and their families," she said.
Jyoti P. Bhatia, who earned a master's degree in international management studies from UT Dallas in 1977, said the university has remained an important part of his family's educational journey.
"I earned my graduate degree here, and later, both of our children also graduated from UT Dallas," he said. "Because of that connection, this university holds a special place in our hearts."
Jyoti Bhatia has contributed to the North Texas community through his involvement with organizations including the Hindu Temple of North Texas, the India Association of North Texas, the Asian Chamber of Texas and Lions Clubs International. Nishi Bhatia came to the United States to study at the University of Kentucky before building a career as an educator in the Plano Independent School District.
The couple said their decision to establish the fellowship was shaped by their own experiences overcoming challenges and receiving encouragement from others, inspiring them to help future generations pursue higher education.
"The students who will benefit from these fellowships have already earned their place through hard work and perseverance," Nishi Bhatia said. "If financial assistance can remove one obstacle and allow them to focus on learning, research, innovation and discovery, then we believe it is a worthwhile investment."
The endowment adds to graduate funding opportunities at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, one of Texas' leading engineering schools. The school offers fellowships, scholarships and assistantships to support graduate education and research while expanding initiatives to attract top master's and doctoral students.
Tracy Ferguson, director of development for the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, said the Bhatias' philanthropy would leave a lasting impact on future students.
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