Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder of Infosys, has announced a donation of ₹315 crore to his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, in commemoration of his 50-year association with the institution.
According to a statement, the purpose of the donation is to enhance the establishment's infrastructure to a world-class standard, promote research in emerging fields of engineering and technology, and cultivate a thriving ecosystem for deep tech startups at IIT Bombay. The statement also highlights that this contribution is one of the most substantial donations ever made by an alumnus in India.
In the release, Nilekani expressed his profound gratitude towards IIT Bombay, stating that it played a pivotal role in his life, shaping his early years and providing the groundwork for his journey. As he celebrates five decades of his affiliation with this esteemed institution, he feels fortunate to contribute to its future and make a positive impact.
“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," he added.
Read: Why is Nandan Nilekani the ‘Go To Guy’ for GoI?
It is worth mentioning that Nilekani had previously donated grants totalling ₹85 crore to the institution, making his overall contribution to IIT Bombay reach ₹400 crore.
Nilekani and Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, director of IIT Bombay, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today in Bengaluru. The statement quoted Professor Chaudhuri expressing his belief that this significant contribution will pave the way for IIT Bombay to achieve global leadership in its endeavours.
"We are extremely delighted to see our illustrious alumnus Nandan Nilekani continuing his foundational & pioneering contributions to the Institute. This historic donation will significantly accelerate the growth of IIT Bombay and will firmly set it on a path of global leadership," Chaudhari said.
Last year, Nilekani also contributed ₹36 crores grant for launching Nilekani Centre at AI4Bharat in partnership with IIT Madras, for advancing Indian language technology for creating social impact.
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