A former teacher at IIT Kharagpur who had graduated from the electrical engineering department of Jadavpur University has contributed Rs 25 lakh to his alma mater to develop infrastructure for the innovation council, a facility that he thinks is not making the desired progress for want of funds.
The former IIT teacher, who did not want to be named, met JU 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. At IIT Kharagpur, such facilities have been developed so the students can be 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 self-effacing 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.
JU’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, now a resident of Behala, has taught at IIT Kharagpur for 38 years.
Originally from Habra Ashoknagar in North 24-Parganas, he graduated from Jadavpur University in 1977.
“The concept of learning has changed completely. It is no longer confined to classrooms. This an age where a student is required to immediately 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 Telegraph.
Why did he think of contributing to the innovation council? Usually, alumni contribute to their departments.
“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.
“JU 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 said.
This newspaper has reported that the university, which is encountering a funds crunch owing to depletion in support from the state and the central governments, is increasingly appealing to former students for support to renovate laboratories and other infrastructure-related work.
The university has opened an alumni cell.
A former student of chemical engineering at Jadavpur University had in October
gifted his alma mater a chemical reactor worth Rs 35 lakh
so students get the opportunity to engage in new-age research.
“At the IIT, the former students come to help their alma mater. I hope JU will also develop this culture. As for me, I wanted to share whatever excess I had with my alma mater. I had just one condition, which is that the university won’t disclose my name,” said the IIT teacher.
Rajib Bandyopadhyay, a JU 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.”