55% of IIT Gandhinagar alumni donated Rs 70 lakh to institute in 2022-23

Among the 3,140 IITGN alumni, 1,723 collectively donated over Rs 69 lakh to the institute in 2022-23 to help it provide students the highest quality education, conduct ground-breaking research opportunities and offer a vibrant campus life.

The average alumni contribution this time stands at Rs 4,000, up from Rs 3,388 in 2021-22. The average donation from the alums of various undergraduate programmes is higher at Rs 6,812.

Around 81 per cent of the alumni from the recently-graduated class of 2022 have contributed to IITGN in 2022-23 – both undergraduates and postgraduates alumni have an equal share in the list of donors.

Alumni donation at IITGN has grown in recent years, with the same almost doubling in the last three years – from Rs 36 lakh in 2019-20 to Rs 69 lakh in 2022-23.

More than 85 per cent are also actively supporting the institute by engaging in other initiatives, including conducting masterclasses, organising alumni meet-ups and get-togethers, participating in annual alumni reunions, establishing student scholarships, and so on.

Of the 23 alumni-endowed scholarships at IITGN, nearly half have been set up in the last two financial years, providing one lakh students support per year. Since the establishment of IITGN, 84.5 per cent of its alumni have contributed at least once.

Prof Jaison A Manjaly, Jasubhai Memorial Chair Professor and Professor-in-Charge, Alumni Relations,

IITGN, said: “Alumni network is an important source of support for any educational institution. IITGN alumni have always exceeded our expectations with their generosity. The institute is grateful to them and committed to fostering strong relationships with its alumni and encourages their continued involvement and support.”

The alumni have funded student welfare initiatives like international internships, financial assistance and entrepreneurship. They have also donated to their preferred campus activities and initiatives, such as sports, cultural and tech festivals and community welfare programmes, among others.

Kratika Bhagtani, a BTech electrical engineering graduate from the class of 2020, who is currently a PhD Scholar at Purdue University in US, said: “The flexible academic environment gave me the freedom to learn and explore. It played a crucial role in shaping my career and personality. I like to give back to IIT Gandhinagar to the best of my ability.”

While majority of alumni support (30.9 per cent) goes towards student support and scholarships, NYASA – the social outreach programme – too takes a considerable portion. NYASA is an informal school for children of campus construction workers, mainly run by student and community volunteers of IITGN since 2011.

NEEV, another social outreach programme, empowers youth and women of nearby villages with skill-based livelihood trainings.