Jadavpur: An alumnus of Jadavpur University who lives in the US has contributed ₹1 crore to renovate a unit operation laboratory of the chemical engineering department, which has been in a state of disrepair for many years.

The alumnus, who graduated from the chemical engineering department in 1981, was “shocked” to see the poor condition of the laboratory when he visited the campus in January this year, said the JU pro-vice-chancellor Amitava Datta, who looks after the university’s alumni cell.

The former student, who heads a division of a global pharmaceutical chain headquartered in the US, contributed the amount for the civil and electrical construction of the laboratory and the latest equipment.

The former student said he did not want to be identified.

The funds from the alumnus associated with the East Coast alumni chapter of JU in the US reached the university on Wednesday.

The State Bank of India has also contributed ₹35 lakh for the beautification of the campus.

The chemical engineering department completed its centenary last year.

“We appealed to the former student who was shocked to see the condition of the laboratory during a visit in January. He has contributed the fund so the laboratory could be renovated and a scholarship could be offered to a PhD student,” pro-VC Datta told The Telegraph.

“The fund has come as part of the corporate social responsibility of the pharmaceutical company,” he said.

The Telegraph reported on May 8 that the alumni cell of JU has started a drive to tap former students worldwide to mobilise resources and address the funds crunch the university is reeling under.

The unit operation laboratory is used for mechanical operations like grinding, crushing, distillation, absorption and other processes, which are done before the chemical reactions.

Papita Das, head of the chemical engineering department, said some of the equipment dates back to the British era and needs upgradation.

The poor civil construction of the laboratory has worsened the condition.

“It is encouraging that a former student has come forward to renovate the laboratory... Students will benefit immensely,” said Das.

“The university has to use its huge pool of alumni more effectively. We have to work in a consolidated way to meet the funds crunch and excel,” said Bhaskar Gupta, interim JU VC.

JU’s former VC Suranjan Das in February last year had written to the former students of the chemical engineering department to make “liberal financial contributions” on the occasion of the department’s centenary.

“The State Bank of India has contributed ₹35 lakh for the beautification of the water bodies and the adjoining areas near the arts and science intersection on the campus,” said Datta.