Donor an educator refused to divulge his name
An alumnus of Jadavpur University who had graduated from the electrical engineering department has contributed INR 25 lakh to his alma mater to develop infrastructure for the innovation council. This alumnus, a former IIT teacher, feels the facility is not able to make the desired progress for want of funds.
The person who preferred that his name should not be revealed met the University pro-vice-chancellor Amitava Datta on Thursday to hand over the cheque.
“I thought the innovation council needed to be supported, given the funds crunch. Such facilities have been developed at IIT Kharagpur so students get driven towards research. I want JU’s innovation council to grow and attract students towards research, which reflects the strength of an institution,” said the humble former teacher who retired from IIT Kharagpur in 2022.
“I have heard that the innovation council is coming up with an incubation hub to launch a start-up. A start-up cannot grow without funds,” he said.
Jadavpur University’s Institute Innovation Council was developed in 2018 to actively engage students, faculties, alumni and staff in innovation and entrepreneurship-related activities.
The JU alumnus who currently resides in Behala has taught at IIT Kharagpur for 38 years.
Hailing from Habra Ashoknagar in North 24-Parganas, the educator graduated from Jadavpur University in 1977.
“The concept of learning has changed completely. It is no longer confined to classrooms. We live in an age where a student is immediately required to apply the lessons he has learnt in the classroom. The incubation council provides such an opportunity. Research and innovation now define an institute,” he told the media.
“I found out that the council required the support as it was short of funds. Preparing the incubation cell is not possible without funds,” he said, “Hence, the decision to contribute to the council and not department.”
Jadavpur University’s Alumni Cell opened to facilitate coordination with ex-students
“Jadavpur University has produced a stellar performance in the national rankings because of research. I hope the university will keep up the good work through the council,” he added.
Jadavpur University, as reported in several media sources, is encountering a funds crunch owing to depletion in support from the state and the central governments and is increasingly appealing to former students for support to renovate laboratories and other infrastructure-related work. The university has opened an alumni cell in order to facilitate the process.
Last October, another former student of chemical engineering at Jadavpur University gifted his alma mater a chemical reactor worth INR 35 lakh to enable students who are studying to pursue new-age research.
“At IITs, former students come forward to help their alma mater. I hope Jadavpur University, too, will also develop this culture. As for me, I was keen to share whatever excess I had with my alma mater. I had just one condition, which is that the university should not disclose my name,” said the ex-student.
Rajib Bandyopadhyay, a Jadavpur University professor who is president of the Innovation Council, said: “The university, given the financial constraints, is not in a position to support the Innovation Council in a big way. In that context, the support from the alumni is one of our ways to raise resources to develop the incubation cell.”