Rs 160 Crore! IIT Bombay Gets Its First Ever Anonymous Donation From An Alumnus

One of India¡¯s most prestigious educational and research institutes, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, has received a donation of $18.6 million (nearly Rs 160 crore) from an alumnus for the establishment of a Green Energy and Sustainability Research Hub, the premier institute said on Thursday.

Alumnus Who Donated Wants To Remain Anonymous

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IIT Bombay, however, did not disclose the identity of the alumnus who donated the large sum, saying that the donor wanted to remain anonymous.

Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay, said, ¡°This is a rare occurrence in Indian academia that a philanthropist wishes to stay anonymous. It is the first time that we have received an anonymous donation."

"The establishment of Green Energy and Sustainability Research Hub underscores our dedication to tackling climate challenges through cutting-edge research, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and nurturing entrepreneurial endeavours." The Green Energy and Sustainability Research Hub stands as a testament to the impact that collective efforts can achieve in paving a sustainable path for the future, he said, as per the PTI report.

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How The Donated Money Will Be Utilised

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The nearly Rs 160 crore donation will redefine the institute's role in addressing the global climate crisis. The hub will be located within a state-of-the-art academic building on the IIT Bombay campus in suburban Powai, and its focus will extend to critically important areas, the institute said in a statement.

The focused areas include evaluating climate risks and developing effective mitigation strategies, climate change adaptation, and comprehensive environmental monitoring, it said.

Additionally, the hub seeks to advance climate solutions and foster the adoption of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies. It will facilitate research in several critical areas, including battery technologies, solar photovoltaics, biofuels, clean-air science, flood forecasting, and carbon capture, among others, said the statement, adding that the research centre will also offer industry-tailored educational training and cultivate strategic collaborations with global universities and corporations.

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Infosys Co-founder's Rs 315 Crore Donation

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The generous donation by the anonymous alumnus comes two months after Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, who too is an IIT-Bombay alumnus, donated Rs 315 crore to the institute to mark 50 years of his association with it.

Nilekani had joined IIT Bombay in 1973 for a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. IIT-Bombay named its iconic main building after Nilekani last month. Nilekani's contribution is believed to possibly be among the single largest donations made by an alumnus in India. Overall, he has already committed Rs 400 crore in donations to the institute, following his previous grants of Rs 85 crore.

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