DEAN ACR NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2025

From the Dean's Desk March-2025

Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi

Ph.D., FNAE, FNASc & FIIChE
Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations
Institute AI & ML Chair Professor

“

Dear Alumni,

 

Greetings from your alma mater. This past month has been one of milestones, achievements, and moments of deep reflection for IIT Bombay.

 

We begin with heartfelt remembrances. IIT Bombay bids farewell to Mr. Victor Menezes (1947–2025), a towering figure in global finance and a steadfast champion of education. Victor’s contributions to the financial world and IIT Bombay leave behind an indelible legacy at his alma mater. We also mourn the passing of Prof. Ajit A. Diwan, a beloved faculty member of the CSE Department, whose brilliance in Theoretical Computer Science and Graph Theory shaped generations of students. Their impact will be deeply missed, but their legacies will endure. Please look for more details of their lives and legacies in the In Memoriam section of the Newsletter.

 

IIT Bombay marked a significant milestone with the unveiling ceremony of the new Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship (DSSE) building. This state-of-the-art facility is set to
become a cornerstone of innovation, equipping students, researchers, and entrepreneurs with world-class resources to bring groundbreaking ideas to life. Following this joyous event, DSSE hosted a symposium on “Catalyzing University Entrepreneurship,” bringing together policymakers, industry experts, and academicians to explore the transformative role of academic institutions in fostering entrepreneurship. We have a Special Report on the event.

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SPECIAL REPORT

DSSE Plaque Unveiling And New Building Walkthrough

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E-Summit’25

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P. G. Bhagwat Automotive Clay Studio

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ALUMNI GIVING

Jitendra Mohan – Swapna Samant

In a historic act of generosity, IIT Bombay alumni couple Mr. Jitendra Mohan (B.Tech., Electrical Engineering, 1994, #Hostel 9) and Ms. Swapna Samant (B.Tech., Civil Engineering, 1995, #Hostel 10) have pledged $11 million to their alma mater. This monumental gift, among the largest ever received by the Institute, highlights the exceptional bond between IIT Bombay and its alumni and reaffirms the transformative impact of philanthropy on education, innovation, and nation-building.

The donation will spearhead several critical initiatives that align with IIT Bombay’s vision for growth and excellence. A key focus of their contribution is the Smt. Vidya Sharma Chair Professorship in Electrical Engineering, which is dedicated to supporting women faculty members in STEM. This initiative reflects the donors’ steadfast commitment to gender inclusivity in academia and their aspiration to foster an environment where women scientists and researchers can thrive.

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ALUMNI ACCOLADES: PADMA SHRI 2025 HONOUREES



• Dr. Chetan Chitnis
• Dr. Nitin Nohria
• Ms. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande

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DAA-YAAA 2025

Celebrating Excellence: DAA & YAAA 2025 Winners Announced!

IIT Bombay is delighted to announce the winners of the Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Awards (DAA) 2025 and the Young Alumnus/Alumna Achiever Awards (YAAA) 2025, recognizing the outstanding contributions of our alumni community across diverse fields.

While the DAA honours alumni whose remarkable achievements have made a profound impact on society and their industries, the YAAA celebrates young alumni (under 40) who are shaping the future with their innovation, leadership, and expertise.

IIT Bombay will felicitate and celebrate these exceptional achievers on Foundation Day, March 10, 2025.

The achievements of our DAA and YAAA awardees are a testament to the spirit of excellence and innovation that defines IIT Bombay.

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ALUMNI REUNION HIGHLIGHTS



• GJRU: Class of 1974
• GJRU: Class of 1975

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CORPORATE COLLABORATION





• Dubai Economic Development Corporation

• Ramky Group

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RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT



• Natural Disasters’ Impact on Finances
• Measuring Degradation Rate on Iron Coatings
• Maharashtra’s Changing Mangroves
• Affordable Tinnitus Diagnosis Device

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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Prof. Kasturi Saha

IIT Bombay Unveils Qmet Tech Foundation - Paving the Path for Quantum Leadership:

The Quantum Sensing and Metrology Hub (Qmet Tech Foundation), established by IIT Bombay under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), convened leading experts in the field to outline a shared vision, define key milestones, and discuss strategies for future collaboration.

Qmet, a Section 8 not-for-profit company, serves as a pivotal hub for translational research, funding management, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among its member institutions. The kick-off meeting provided a platform to align strategies and pave the way forward.

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LECTURE SERIES



The Lecture Series at IIT Bombay serves as a platform for scholarly exchange, bringing together renowned academicians, distinguished faculty, and thought leaders to discuss critical scientific and technological advancements shaping the world today.

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INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS

IIT Bombay Celebrates India's 76th Republic Day

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PIWOT 2025

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Workshop on Renewable Energy Integration

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Collaborating with C-DOT

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Groundbreaking Ceremony - Academic Science Block 1

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Public Health Fellowship Program with MUHS and SANGAM

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Delegates from the University of Sheffield Visit IIT Bombay

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SUSTAIN 5.0

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Faculty Accolades February 2025

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IDC IIT Bombay Hosts WAVES Masterclass

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Upcoming Events
Lumina Kickoff Event

Join us for the Lumina Kickoff event, featuring two extraordinary IIT Bombay alumni: Ms. Kavita Bala, computer scientist and Provost of Cornell University, and Ms. Sharada Srinivasan, eminent archaeologist and professor at NIAS Bangalore. Hear inspiring stories, groundbreaking achievements, and the passions that drive these global changemakers. Be part of this unforgettable conversation as we […]

Day & Date: November 15, 2025
Time: 9:30 am
Venue: Virtual
Alumni Day

IIT Bombay will celebrate its annual Alumni Day in December. All of IIT Bombay’s alumni are invited to come by and reminisce about their time spent on campus and share their memories of their beloved Institute. A series of events will be held for alumni and their family members during the celebration. Date: December 28, 2025 […]

Day & Date: December 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Venue: IIT Bombay Campus
Hostel Celebration Day

Join us on 20th December 2025 for the Hostels 4, 6, and 9 Reunion at IIT Bombay. Reconnect with friends and revisit cherished corners. Celebrate the spirit of hostel life through fun activities, nostalgic moments, and an evening of music and laughter. Stay overnight to truly relive the hostel experience. Don’t miss it! Hostel 4 […]

Day & Date: Dec 20 - Dec 21, 2025
Venue: IIT Bombay Campus
IITB Chapter Meets – Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune

IIT Bombay is excited to host a series of Alumni Chapter Meets across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune over the coming months. Join us to reconnect with fellow alumni, celebrate the IITB spirit, and be part of engaging conversations and networking opportunities in your city! Bengaluru: Date: November 15 or 16, 2025 Time: 11:30 AM to […]

Day & Date: Nov 15 - Dec 13, 2025
Venue: TBD

From the Dean's Desk March-2025

Dear Alumni,

 

Greetings from your alma mater. This past month has been one of milestones, achievements, and moments of deep reflection for IIT Bombay.

 

We begin with heartfelt remembrances. IIT Bombay bids farewell to Mr. Victor Menezes (1947–2025), a towering figure in global finance and a steadfast champion of education. Victor’s contributions to the financial world and IIT Bombay leave behind an indelible legacy at his alma mater. We also mourn the passing of Prof. Ajit A. Diwan, a beloved faculty member of the CSE Department, whose brilliance in Theoretical Computer Science and Graph Theory shaped generations of students. Their impact will be deeply missed, but their legacies will endure. Please look for more details of their lives and legacies in the In Memoriam section of the Newsletter.

 

IIT Bombay marked a significant milestone with the unveiling ceremony of the new Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship (DSSE) building. This state-of-the-art facility is set to become a cornerstone of innovation, equipping students, researchers, and entrepreneurs with world-class resources to bring groundbreaking ideas to life. Following this joyous event, DSSE hosted a symposium on “Catalyzing University Entrepreneurship,” bringing together policymakers, industry experts, and academicians to explore the transformative role of academic institutions in fostering entrepreneurship. We have a Special Report on the event.

 

We were also delighted to inaugurate the P. G. Bhagwat Automotive Clay Studio, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to advancing automotive design and innovation. Our very own, Mr. Dilip Bhagwat (B. Tech, Aerospace Engineering, Class of 1971) set up the lab in honour of his late father, Mr. P. G. Bhagwat. We have more details on this occasion in a Special Report.

 

The Institute also hosted the 20th edition of E-Summit’ 25 and marked yet another milestone in the journey of Asia’s largest non-profit, student-run entrepreneurship-promoting body. We were delighted to welcome back Mr. Nandan Nilekani who was the keynote speaker at the summit. Look for more details in a Special Report in the newsletter.

 

The Institute was privileged to receive an extraordinary gift from our very own alumni couple Mr. Jitendra Mohan and Ms. Swapna Samant, who have pledged $11 million to their alma mater. Their generosity is a testament to the deep connection our alumni share with IIT Bombay and their commitment to shaping its future. We have more details in the Alumni Giving section of the newsletter.

 

The IIT Bombay community takes great pride in celebrating our alumni – Dr. Nitin Nohria and Dr. Chetan Chitnis – recipients of the Padma Shri Award 2025. In addition, we recognize the remarkable achievements of Ms. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, a celebrated Hindustani classical musician and wife of our alumnus Mr. Raja Deshpande. Celebrate their victories in the Alumni Accolades section of the newsletter.

 

This past month also saw the announcement of the Distinguished Alumnus Awards (DAA) and Young Alumni Achiever Awards (YAAA) 2025 and several alumni reunions, including GJRU 1975, GJRU 1974, and DJRU 1964. These gatherings reaffirm the lifelong bonds and shared pride that define the IIT Bombay community. Look for more in the DAA-YAAA 2025 and the Alumni Reunion Highlights sections, respectively. We will feature details of DJRU 1964 in our next month’s newsletter.

 

IIT Bombay continues to forge impactful corporate collaborations, including new partnerships with the Dubai Economic Development Corporation and the Ramky Group (for a groundbreaking Carbon Storage Project). These alliances strengthen our global reach and leadership in sustainability and innovation. More details are in the Corporate Collaboration section.

 

Our researchers have also made important strides, from studying the long-term financial impact of natural disasters and climate change to pioneering new techniques for measuring coating degradation on iron. Other breakthroughs include mapping Maharashtra’s mangroves and wetlands and the development of an affordable tinnitus diagnosis device, bringing relief to millions. Don’t forget to check out our Research Spotlight section for more details.

 

We also have all of our other regular articles including Faculty Accolades, Institute News and Highlights, Upcoming Events, and more, in this month’s newsletter.

 

As always, IIT Bombay remains committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, strengthening global partnerships, and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit. Your continued support and engagement make all of this possible, and we look forward to sharing more successes in the months ahead.

 

Warmly,

 

Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Ph.D., FNAE, FNASc & FIIChE
Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations
Institute AI & ML Chair Professor