STORY CREDITS
Writer/Editor: Shivangi Vasudev Bhatt
Photo: Media and Communication, IIT Gandhinagar
Raising the bar year after year and creating new records in alumni giving, about 55 per cent (54.87%) of young alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) have made financial contributions of nearly Rs 70 lakh to the Institute during the Financial Year (FY) 2022-2023. These numbers stood at 50 per cent of alumni donating Rs 47.50 lakh during the last FY 2021-22. With this, the Institute has achieved more than 50 per cent of alumni donors for the fourth consecutive year.
Out of 3,140 IITGN alumni, 1,723 alumni collectively donated over Rs 69 lakh to the Institute in the FY 2022-23 to continue providing current students with the highest quality education, groundbreaking research opportunities, and vibrant campus life. They have funded various student welfare initiatives such as international internships, student financial assistance, and entrepreneurship. They also donated to their preferred campus activities and initiatives, such as sports, cultural and tech festivals, Art at IITGN, community welfare programmes, and so on.
The average alumni contribution this time stands at Rs 4000, up from Rs 3388 in FY 2021-22. The average donation from the alums of various undergraduate programmes is even higher, i.e. Rs 6812. An astounding 81 per cent of alumni from the recently graduated class of 2022 have contributed to IITGN in FY 2022-23. Notably, undergraduates and postgraduates alumni have an equal proportion of donors.
Describing why she supports IITGN, Kratika Bhagtani, a BTech Electrical Engineering graduate from the class of 2020, who is currently a PhD Scholar at Purdue University, USA, 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, as an expression of gratitude for helping me to reach where I am today.”
Alumni donation at IITGN has grown exponentially in recent years. It has almost doubled in the last three years from Rs 36 lakh in FY 2019-20 to Rs 69 lakh in FY 2022-23. More than 85% are also actively supporting the Institute by engaging in various other initiatives, including conducting masterclasses, organising alumni meet-ups and get-togethers, participating in annual alumni reunions, establishing student scholarships, and so on. In fact, out of 23 alumni-endowed scholarships at IITGN, nearly half of them have been set up in the last two financial years, providing one lakh per year support to students to foster excellence. Since the establishment of IITGN, 84.5 per cent of alumni have contributed at least once.
“Alumni network is an important source of support for any educational institution. Such affection by our young alumni is heartening; at the same time, it is also a testament to the strong alumni network of IITGN and their long-lasting relationship with their alma mater. 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.”, said Prof Jaison A Manjaly, Jasubhai Memorial Chair Professor and Professor-in-Charge, Alumni Relations, IITGN.
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