Infosys co-founder and former chairman Nandan Nilekani has donated Rs. 315 crore to his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). The donation is one of the largest ever made by an alumnus of an Indian educational institution.
Nilekani, who graduated from IIT Bombay in electrical engineering in 1975, said the donation was a way of giving back to the institute that had helped him “shape my formative years and lay the foundation for my journey.”
The donation will be used to support infrastructure improvements, research, and a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay. It will also help to create a new center for excellence in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
“I am delighted to support IIT Bombay in its mission to become a world-class institution of higher learning,” Nilekani said. “I believe that this donation will help to accelerate the institute’s progress and enable it to play a leading role in shaping the future of India.”
IIT Bombay director Subhasis Chaudhuri said the donation was “a major milestone in the institute’s history.” He said the funds would be used to “nurture the next generation of innovators and leaders” and to “position IIT Bombay as a global leader in research and education.”
The donation is the latest in a series of philanthropic initiatives by Nilekani. In 2009, he co-founded the GiveIndia Foundation, which is one of India’s largest non-profit organizations. He has also donated to a number of other causes, including education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Nilekani is a highly respected figure in India. He is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Education and Skills.
The donation to IIT Bombay is a significant gesture from Nilekani. It is a recognition of the importance of education and research in India’s future. It is also a sign of Nilekani’s commitment to giving back to the country that has given him so much.
Here are some of the benefits of the donation:
- Improved infrastructure: The donation will help to improve the infrastructure at IIT Bombay, including the construction of new buildings, the renovation of existing buildings, and the purchase of new equipment. This will create a better learning environment for students and faculty.
- Increased research: The donation will help to increase research at IIT Bombay, in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing. This will help to position IIT Bombay as a global leader in research.
- Nurtured deep tech startup ecosystem: The donation will help to nurture a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay. This will help to create jobs and boost the Indian economy.
The donation is a major boost for IIT Bombay and for India as a whole. It is a sign of Nilekani’s commitment to education and research, and it is a recognition of the importance of these areas for India’s future.