Infosys’ Big Boss Nandan Nilekani Pumps Rs 315 Crores into Beloved IIT Bombay, Honouring 50 Years of Lifelong Bond.
Nandan Nilekani, the renowned co-founder and Chairman of Infosys, has accomplished a remarkable act of generosity by making a staggering contribution of Rs 315 crore to his beloved alma mater, IIT Bombay, commemorating an extraordinary 50-year connection with the esteemed institution. Can you believe it? Nilekani’s association with the institute began in 1973, when he embarked on a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Talk about an enduring bond!
The donation will be utilised for constructing infrastructure, fostering research in emerging fields of engineering and technology, and cultivating a thriving deep-tech start-up ecosystem at IIT Bombay. Additionally, this contribution is expected to serve as the cornerstone for IIT Bombay’s ambitious vision of becoming a global leader among engineering and technology institutes.
Mr. Nilekani and Subhasis Chaudhuri, director of IIT Bombay, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Bengaluru on 20th June 2023.
“IIT Bombay has played a pivotal role in my life, shaping my formative years, and laying the foundation for my journey. This donation goes beyond mere financial assistance. It is a tribute to the place that has given me so much and a commitment to the students who will shape our world tomorrow,” expressed Mr. Nilekani. Source: TheHindu.com
Mr. Chaudhuri stated, “This donation will significantly accelerate the growth of IIT Bombay and firmly establish its path to global leadership. IIT Bombay is dedicated to fostering research and academic excellence that can position India as a leader in scientific discoveries and their application to address pressing challenges faced by humanity.” Source: TheHindu.com
Mr. Nilekani joined IIT Bombay in 1973 for his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Coincidentally, this donation marks his 50-year association with the premier educational institution.
Throughout the past five decades, Nilekani has maintained various connections with the institute. He served on the board of the IIT Bombay Heritage Foundation from 1999 to 2009 and was a member of the Board of Governors from 2005 to 2011. His initial contribution of Rs 85 crore played a vital role in constructing new hostels, co-financing the School of Information Technology, and establishing India’s first university incubator, which greatly boosted the Indian start-up ecosystem. In 1999, he was honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, followed by an Honorary Doctorate in 2019 during the 57th convocation of IIT Bombay. Nilekani also played a crucial role in establishing the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), an umbrella organisation at IIT Bombay that fosters entrepreneurship.
Here is a timeline highlighting the business successes of Nandan Nilekani:
- 1978: Nandan Nilekani joins the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to study electrical engineering.
- 1981: Nilekani graduates from IIT Bombay and joins the Mumbai-based company Patni Computer Systems.
- 1981-1989: Nilekani serves as the project manager for the development of the company’s first onsite software development facility.
- 1989: Nilekani co-founded Infosys Technologies Limited along with Narayana Murthy and four others. He served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company from 2002 to 2007.
- 1993: Infosys became the first Indian company to be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
- 2002: Nilekani becomes the CEO of Infosys, succeeding N.R. Narayana Murthy.
- 2004: Nilekani leads the successful initial public offering (IPO) of Infosys in India, making it the first Indian company to be listed on Indian stock exchanges.
- 2007: Nilekani steps down as the CEO of Infosys and takes on the role of Co-Chairman of the Board.
- 2009: Nilekani is appointed as the Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), where he leads the development and implementation of Aadhaar, India’s biometric identification system.
- 2014: Nilekani resigns from UIDAI to contest in the Indian general elections as a member of the Indian National Congress party. However, he loses the election.
- 2017: Nilekani rejoins Infosys as the non-executive Chairman of the Board, helping to stabilise the company amid leadership changes.
- 2020: Nilekani plays a key role in the launch of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) in India, which aims to create a digital infrastructure for healthcare services.
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