Communication industry innovators Neera, Rajendra Singh to receive UMaine honorary degrees

The University of Maine will confer Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters to international leaders in the development of new communications technology Neera and Rajendra Singh during its 222nd commencement ceremony on May 4.

“I am delighted to celebrate Neera and Raj, who are not only accomplished in advancing cellular and telecommunication networks internationally, but also with whom I’ve personally had the honor to become acquainted,” said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “Their knowledge and investment continues to support our efforts in fostering technological innovation and preparing next-generation engineers, marketeers and business leaders, both globally and in the state of Maine.”

The Singhs met at the India Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur while Neera Singh was an undergraduate student and Rajendra Singh a University of Maine graduate student. Neera Singh went on to achieve her master’s in chemical engineering at Kansas State University and Rajendra Singh a Ph.D. in wireless communications at Southern Methodist University.

They married in 1981 and united their skills in engineering and computing to lead innovation in the budding wireless communication industry. They developed the first software that could configure optimal locations for cellular towers, enabling the growth of communication networks across urban and rural areas in more than 50 countries. It was the starting point of Lunayach Communications Consultants (LCC) International, one of 33 total companies in which the Singhs invested or launched. Within 12 years, the company grew to employ more than 1,000 people and exceed $100 million in annual revenue. 

Neera and Rajendra Singh retired from LCC International in 2008 to focus on investing in new technologies and advancing education in engineering, computing, social science, business and marketing. The Washington Post and Forbes Magazine have recognized their excellence in business and investment power.

With the success of LCC International, the Singhs created the LCC Institute — an initiative they consider their highest achievement — which democratized the industry by broadening access to telecommunication knowledge worldwide.

They continue to support generations of engineers by supplying scholarships and collaboratively offering guidance to UMaine, and by funding a new AI program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rajendra Singh has served on the boards of Johns Hopkins University and its School of Medicine, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal. He and Neera Singh are inductees of the Wireless History Foundation Hall of Fame and the Maine College of Engineering and Computing’s Francis Crowe Society Hall of Fame.

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu