Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and chairman of Infosys and the founding chairman of UIDAI, has donated Rs 315 crore to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. The donation marks Nilekani’s 50-year association with the Institute and will fund world-class infrastructure, research in emerging areas of engineering and technology, and a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay, as per a joint statement from the institute and Nilekani said on Tuesday.
This latest donation builds on his previous grants of Rs 85 crore to his alma mater. The tech entrepreneur joined IIT-B in 1973 for a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
The donation, which is one of the largest donations made by an alumnus in the country, will serve as the anchor for IIT-B’s vision to become a global leader among engineering and technology institutes and contribute significantly towards nation-building, the statement.
“IIT-Bombay has been a cornerstone in my life, shaping my formative years and laying the foundation for my journey. As I celebrate 50 years of my association with this esteemed institution, I am grateful to give forward and contribute to its future. This donation is more than just a financial contribution; it is a tribute to the place that has given me so much and a commitment to the students who will shape our world tomorrow,” Nilekani said.
A Memorandum of Understanding was formally signed in Bengaluru by Nandan Nilekani and Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay. The donation will significantly accelerate the growth of IIT-B and will firmly set it on a path of global leadership, said Prof Subhasis Chaudhuri.
According to a report by PTI, over the past 50 years, Nilekani has maintained a strong connection with the institute, holding various roles at IIT-B. He served on the board of the IIT-B Heritage Foundation for a decade starting in 1999 and was a member of the board of governors from 2005 to 2011.
Nilekani’s initial contribution of Rs 85 crore played a crucial role in the construction of new hostels, co-financing the School of information technology, and establishing the country’s first university incubator. In recognition of his contributions, Nilekani received the distinguished alumnus award in 1999 and was granted an honorary doctorate in 2019 during the 57th convocation of the institution.
Looking ahead, IIT-B has strategic plans for the next decade, including the establishment of world-class centers of excellence in areas such as artificial intelligence, green energy, and quantum computing. The institute aims to foster a thriving deep tech startup ecosystem while providing top-notch research facilities, living spaces, and academic resources for students and faculty.
To support these ambitious plans, IIT-B plans to raise approximately $500 million over the next five years. Nilekani’s generous contribution of $38.5 million will serve as an anchor and inspire others to join in this transformative initiative, the statement said.
Founded in 1958 as the second IIT, IIT-Bombay is a globally renowned institution in the field of engineering education and research. It attained the status of an ‘Institution of Eminence’ in July 2018. With 15 academic departments, 39 centers, programs, and academic facilities, three schools, and four interdisciplinary programs, the institute has produced over 62,500 engineers and scientists. It is supported by a faculty of more than 700 members.
Such generous donations to Indian educational institutes are not unprecedented. As per a report by MoneyControl, previously, Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, generously donated Rs 225 crore to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Rs 60 crore to IIT-Madras. In a similar move, Subroto Bagchi and NS Parthasarathy of Mindtree donated Rs 425 crore to IISc, contributing to the establishment of a medical institute and an 800-bed multi-specialty hospital. Additionally, Ajit Isaac, CEO of Quess Corp, donated Rs 105 crore to IISc.
Another notable contribution came from Ashok Soota, an IT industry veteran and CEO of Happiest Minds, as per the report. Soota donated Rs 20 crore to his alma mater, IIT Roorkee, through his research trust, SKAN. These philanthropic endeavors aim to support and enhance the educational and research capabilities of these prestigious institutions.
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