A former student of Jadavpur University’s chemical engineering department has decided to buy his alma mater a chemical reactor that will cost Rs 31 lakh.
Ravi Prasad, who graduated in 1971 and lives in Chennai, made the contribution on the occasion of the department’s centenary. The centenary celebrations were inaugurated at a programme in Kolkata on Saturday.
Prasad said: “I am contributing a pilot plant worth Rs 31 lakh. The students in any engineering college learn in the laboratory from the prototype. What we have gifted to the department is a real-life pilot plant — something that is available in industries that students join after graduation. This will make them industry-ready while they are studying.”
Prasad retired as chief executive officer of Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux, better known as PAMP, a leading bullion brand in Dubai, six months ago.
After graduating from JU in 1971, he did MBA from IIM-Calcutta and then he moved into marketing.
“While I have been a chemical engineer, I have never worked in the chemical plant,” Prasad said.
The pilot plant, which is a replica of a real-life industrial reactor, will be installed in June this year.
The former student, still “Ravi” to his batchmates, said at the programme: “I want more and more former students to step forward and give back to the alma mater that has nurtured them.”
Prasad’s support came months after JU vice-chancellor Suranjan Das wrote to the former students of the department to make “liberal financial contributions” for the creation of a fund for necessary expenses that will strengthen teaching and research programmes.
JU’s pro-V Chiranjeeb Bhattacharya said they would need more such support as the university, which is reeling under a funds crunch, is not in a position to buy expensive equipment.
“Given the financial constraints, we could not have done for students what Ravi Prasad has done. This pilot plant will give much-needed exposure to students,” he said.
The former students have raised a total of Rs 46 lakh since the VC appealed to them for contributions, he said.