News Category: Alumni in News

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IIT Bombay recently hosted the Hult Prize India Nationals 2025, welcoming over 60 student-led startups from across the country. Focused on driving sustainable social impact, the event showcased entrepreneurial ideas aimed at creating a better future.

Prof. Milind Atrey, Deputy Director (Academics, Research and Translation), addressed the gathering, while Ms. Lori van Dam, CEO of the Hult Prize Foundation, flew in from Boston to support the Indian chapter. The event was anchored by Prof. Sankalp Pratap and featured a fireside chat with Mr. Nikhil Nahar, Co-founder of SolarSquare Energy, on building scalable ventures in sustainability. A powerful keynote by Prof. Kavi Arya from IIT Bombay’s e-Yantra spotlighted the transformative power of tech-driven social innovation.

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The competition was judged by a distinguished panel of CSR leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, including:

• Mr. Ajay Popat (President, Ion Exchange India Ltd)
• Ms. Ruchi Jain (Founder, Taru Naturals)
• Mr. Deval Sanghavi (Co-Founder, Dasra)
• Ms. Poyni Bhatt (Former CEO, SINE IIT Bombay)
• Mr. Anil Nair (CEO, St. Jude India ChildCare Centres)

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After a rigorous evaluation, eight finalists were selected, and Prof. Krishna P. Kaliappan, Dean – Strategy, IIT Bombay, announced Team Altheros as the national winner. Their innovative and scalable solution earned them the honour of representing India at the global finals of the Hult Prize.

By hosting the Hult Prize India Nationals 2025, IIT Bombay reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for innovation and social entrepreneurship. The Institute not only provides a thriving ecosystem for young changemakers but also actively nurtures ideas that aim to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. As India’s leading technological institute, IIT Bombay continues to empower the next generation of innovators to dream big, act boldly, and lead with purpose.

For more, click here: Telegraph India

IIT Bombay had the honour of hosting a distinguished delegation from École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP), led by Professor Léon Laulusa. The delegation engaged in high-level discussions with IIT Bombay’s leadership, exploring avenues for strategic collaboration and academic synergy.

During their visit, they held insightful exchanges with the Heads of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the IIT Bombay Research Hub for Green Energy and Sustainability, and the School of Management.

This inaugural engagement sets the stage for a promising partnership, laying the groundwork for future academic and research collaborations between the two esteemed institutions. IIT Bombay is committed to fostering global academic alliances that drive innovation and research excellence, and this collaboration with ESCP is a significant step in that direction.

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IIT Bombay is taking a bold step toward transforming its teaching methods to better meet the evolving needs of students. Beginning in the next academic year, the Institute will introduce more activity-based learning, hands-on training, and discussion-oriented classroom interactions across its courses. This initiative will not follow a one-size-fits-all approach, instead offering department-specific solutions tailored to their unique requirements.

A notable aspect of this shift is the introduction of voluntary summer internships for first-year students. These internships will focus on addressing local issues in their hometowns, with support from IIT Bombay’s alumni network. This opportunity aims to connect students with real-world problems and encourage meaningful, community-driven solutions.

The decision to overhaul the teaching pedagogy has been inspired by a comprehensive review conducted by IIT Bombay’s Teaching Learning Assessment (TLA) committee, which involved faculty, students, and alumni. Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, emphasized that students should be able to solve problems instead of banking on artificial intelligence-based tools. They should be able to discover and build on their innate talents, as they focus on problem-solving and project-based learning.

The new approach is deeply grounded in feedback from the TLA committee’s workshops and discussions. One committee member reflected that their focus will be on nurturing an ecosystem where learning becomes a natural expression, and students can build on their strengths.

As IIT Bombay continues to evolve its academic model, the aim is to provide students with an education that’s not only theoretically sound but also practically applicable. This will involve more project-based work, field-exposure activities, and increased interaction with the industry. The goal is for students to gain practical skills and knowledge that they can apply in real-world settings.

The first phase of this initiative, set to roll out in the 2025-26 academic year, will introduce courses designed around shared contextual learning and internships supported by IIT Bombay’s alumni network. One professor from the review committee pointed out that the IITs were set up in the late 1950s and early 60s as a part of the nation-building exercise, and now need to be part of creating the new future as India-2047.

This paradigm shift represents IIT Bombay’s commitment to fostering a holistic educational experience that balances academic rigor with practical, hands-on learning. The initiative is part of a larger vision to position the Institute as a leader in progressive, future-ready education.

For more, click here: Times of India

IIT Bombay and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable agriculture, rural development, and environmental management.

The MoU aims to foster joint research projects, academic programmes, faculty and student exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives in key areas such as climate change, resource optimization, and sustainable land management. By combining IIT Bombay’s technological expertise with SKUAST-K’s domain-specific agricultural knowledge, the collaboration will create innovative, data-driven solutions for pressing global challenges.

During the ceremony, Prof. Shireesh B Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, expressed confidence that this partnership will become a model for blending scientific excellence with technological innovation. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, highlighted the importance of academic collaborations to equip researchers, students, and farmers with cutting-edge technologies to improve productivity and resilience in agriculture.

As part of the agreement, SKUAST-K will also collaborate with IIT Bombay’s Rural Data Research and Analysis (RuDRA) Lab on a Rs. 20 Crore project. The initiative will focus on developing state-of-the-art decision support systems for rural development, alongside joint research, curriculum design, knowledge transfer, and internship programmes.

This partnership underscores IIT Bombay’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and driving technological innovation in agriculture and rural development. By combining its world-class expertise with SKUAST-K’s agricultural knowledge, IIT Bombay is poised to lead impactful solutions that address critical challenges in sustainability and rural resilience.

IIT Bombay’s impact goes well beyond the realms of science and technology. Showcasing the Institute’s creative and interdisciplinary spirit, Into the Manhole—a 6DoF VR narrative developed at the IMXD Lab, IDC School of Design—won the prestigious FICCI Best Animated Frames Award 2025 for Best XR Short Film. Directed by Prof. Abhishek Verma and Prof. Jayesh Pillai, the film redefines storytelling in extended reality (XR) through its immersive experience.

Additionally, the Technical Director, Mr. ShivaTeja Banda, and Music Director/Sound Designer Mr. Ananda Bathena, an IDC alumnus, were also honoured at the awards ceremony.

This recognition underscores IIT Bombay’s growing influence at the cutting edge of immersive media and storytelling, and highlights the Institute’s commitment to pushing boundaries across disciplines.

IIT Bombay was featured extensively in the media recently.

In a detailed feature titled All You Need to Know About IIT Bombay The New Indian Express offered a comprehensive look at the Institute’s enduring excellence. Published in its print edition, the article spotlighted IIT Bombay’s distinguished faculty, accomplished alumni, cutting-edge research, and vibrant campus life, capturing the spirit of what makes the Institute a national treasure.

Also, Edex Live, the education vertical of The New Indian Express, featured a wide-ranging interview with Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay. In the conversation, Prof. Kedare spoke about what continues to make IIT Bombay the top choice for most Advanced JEE toppers, the Institute’s ongoing efforts to promote gender diversity among faculty and students, emerging trends in education, the future of infrastructure at the campus, and more.

Read Prof. Kedare’s entire interview here: Edex Live

IIT Bombay has been honoured with the prestigious National Intellectual Property Award in the category of Top Indian Organisation for Design Patent Applications. This recognition highlights the Institute’s relentless commitment to fostering innovation, research excellence, and intellectual property creation.

The award was accepted by Prof. Upendra Bhandarkar, Associate Dean of Research & Development, on behalf of IIT Bombay, and was presented by the Honourable Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, Justice Pratibha Singh, and Prof. Unnat Pandit, Controller General of Indian Patents, Designs, and Trademarks.

This accomplishment reflects the collective efforts of IIT Bombay’s esteemed faculty, researchers, and students, who are continually pushing the boundaries of innovation. The Institute is deeply grateful to all contributors and reaffirms its dedication to advancing India’s intellectual property ecosystem.

This recognition further solidifies IIT Bombay’s position at the forefront of innovation and intellectual property in India. The Institute’s dedication to research excellence and the creation of cutting-edge technologies continues to drive progress across various fields. IIT Bombay remains committed to fostering a culture of innovation that not only contributes to the nation’s growth but also shapes the global technological landscape.

Image Courtesy: Northwestern University

IIT Bombay alumnus, Prof. Neelesh A. Patankar (B.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, 1993), has been appointed faculty director of the Northwestern-Argonne Institute for Scientific and Engineering Excellence (NAISE). A distinguished researcher in fluid mechanics and computational modelling, Prof. Patankar has been a faculty member at Northwestern University since 2000. His myriad accolades include receiving the Prominent Researcher Award at the Microflow and Interfacial Phenomena Conference (2023), being elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society (2012), and receiving the Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence (2014–2017). He holds an MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Prof. Patankar’s research spans diverse fields, from advanced computational modelling to biomedical innovation. His recent study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, introduces a groundbreaking physics-based metric to predict aortic aneurysms—dangerous conditions that often go undetected until it’s too late. The “flutter instability parameter” (FIP), derived from a single 4D flow MRI scan, has demonstrated a remarkable 98% accuracy in predicting aneurysms up to three years in advance, offering the potential for life-saving early interventions.

As he takes the helm at NAISE, Prof. Patankar aims to deepen collaborations between Northwestern and Argonne National Laboratory, driving interdisciplinary research in energy storage, quantum computing, climate modelling, and materials science. His leadership will further solidify NAISE’s role as a model for academic-national lab partnerships, fostering technological breakthroughs with real-world impact.

IIT Bombay has long been a launchpad for visionary researchers and leaders, equipping its alumni with the expertise and drive to tackle global challenges. Prof. Patankar’s journey—from IIT Bombay’s rigorous academic environment to spearheading high-impact research at the intersection of engineering and scientific discovery—exemplifies the Institute’s role in shaping the future of innovation.

Read more about his appointment and vision for NAISE here.

IIT Bombay is delighted to announce that its Distinguished Alumnus, Mr. Rizwan Koita (B.Tech., Electrical Engineering, 1992), and Distinguished Alumna, Ms. Rekha Koita (B.Tech., Metallurgical Engineering, 1992), have been recognized with the Forbes India Leadership Award (FILA) for Grassroots Philanthropists by Forbes India. This prestigious accolade acknowledges their contributions through the Koita Foundation, which has been driving impactful digital transformation in healthcare, education, and livelihoods for nearly a decade.

The Koita Foundation’s work in digital health has been instrumental in accelerating the adoption of digital tools to enhance healthcare accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Their deep collaborations span academic institutions such as IIT Bombay, Ashoka University, and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences; healthcare organizations like Tata Memorial Centre/National Cancer Grid (cancer), RSSDI (diabetes), and FOGSI (maternal and child health); and government bodies including NABH and the National Health Authority. In addition, their partnership with ILSS led to the establishment of the Koita Centre for Digital Transformation, which equips NGO leaders with technological expertise.

Expressing gratitude for this recognition, Mr. Koita acknowledged the collective efforts of these institutions and the Koita Foundation team in driving digital initiatives forward. Looking ahead, he emphasized the vast potential of AI, ML, and Large Language Models (LLMs) in revolutionizing social impact. As the digital transformation of the social sector continues, the Koitas remain committed to leveraging technology for meaningful and scalable change.

Rizwan and Rekha Koita’s journey is a testament to the values nurtured at IIT Bombay: innovation, excellence, and a deep sense of social responsibility. As the Institute’s alumni continue to make transformative contributions across industries, IIT Bombay reaffirms its legacy of shaping leaders who excel in their fields and drive meaningful change in the world.

Celebrating Excellence: Padma Shri Awards 2025 Honourees Dr. Nitin Nohria and Dr. Chetan Chitnis

IIT Bombay is immensely proud to announce that two of its alumni, Dr. Nitin Nohria and Dr. Chetan Chitnis, have been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri Award for 2025. This esteemed recognition, one of India’s highest civilian honours, celebrates their exceptional contributions to their respective fields and society.

Dr. Nitin Nohria

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Dr. Nitin Nohria is a visionary leader in both academia and business, currently serving as Partner and Executive Chairman at Thrive Capital. His career has been defined by his transformative role as the tenth Dean of Harvard Business School, a position he held from 2010 to 2020. During his tenure, he led several key initiatives aimed at reshaping business education and fostering leadership.

In addition to his academic leadership, Dr. Nohria is a prolific author, co-authoring 16 books and over 100 articles and cases. His research and insights have been widely recognized, with his work frequently cited in top global publications, including The Economist and The Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Nohria’s expertise and leadership extend to numerous prestigious boards. He serves on the boards of Bridgespan, Rakuten Medical, Piramal Enterprises, Tata Sons, and Akshaya Patra, among others, contributing his strategic insights to these organizations.

His thought leadership has also garnered significant media attention, with Dr. Nohria being interviewed by prominent platforms such as ABC, CNN, and NPR.

Dr. Nohria’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Management from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, complementing his B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was honoured as a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay in 2007.

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Dr. Chetan Chitnis

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Dr. Chetan Chitnis is a globally renowned scientist and a prominent leader in the fight against malaria. He currently serves as the head of the Malaria Parasite Biology & Vaccines Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris, where his groundbreaking research focuses on understanding the biology of the malaria parasite and developing vaccines to combat the disease.

Before taking on his role at Institut Pasteur, Dr. Chitnis served as the Principal Investigator at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi. During his nearly two-decade tenure there, he spearheaded crucial research on malaria that has had a lasting impact on the field of global health.

Dr. Chitnis was honoured with the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award in 2004 and the Infosys Prize in Life Sciences in 2010. He was elected as a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in 2009 and the Indian National Science Academy in 2014.

Dr. Chitnis has also had the privilege of serving as a Visiting Fellow at the National Institutes of Health in the United States, furthering his expertise and contributions to scientific advancements.

His innovative research continues to shape the future of infectious disease studies, earning Dr. Chitnis global recognition for the significant impact his work has made on public health, particularly in malaria control and prevention.

Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande

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In a testament to the extraordinary talent and impact that extends beyond our alumni, we are also thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, the wife of IIT Bombay alumnus, Mr. Raja Deshpande (…….).

Ms. Deshpande, a renowned Hindustani classical music vocalist from Mumbai, has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri for her exceptional contributions to the arts. Belonging to the esteemed Jaipur-Atrauli gharana tradition, her dedication to preserving and advancing classical music has earned her national acclaim. This recognition reinforces the incredible calibre of not just our alumni, but also their families, who continue to inspire with their own remarkable journeys.

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As IIT Bombay continues to shape the future of innovation and excellence, we take immense pride in the extraordinary achievements of our alumni and their families. The Padma Shri Awards for 2025 serve as a testament to the lasting impact of an IIT Bombay education, fostering leaders who contribute to society in meaningful and diverse ways. Dr. Nitin Nohria and Dr. Chetan Chitnis have exemplified the values of leadership, academic brilliance, and scientific innovation that IIT Bombay instils in its students. We are equally proud of the accomplishments of Ms. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, whose recognition highlights the diverse talents that the IIT Bombay community nurtures.

These accolades inspire future generations of students, reaffirming IIT Bombay’s commitment to excellence and its role in empowering individuals who go on to make significant contributions to the world.