DEAN ACR NEWSLETTER – JULY 2025

From the Dean's Desk July-2025

Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi

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

“

Dear Alumni,

 

As we head into the second half of the year, IIT Bombay continues to build momentum across every front—research, innovation, partnerships, and people. This month’s newsletter presents an inspiring roundup of stories that reflect the Institute’s growing impact in diverse areas, including CSR, deeptech, sustainability, and alumni achievements. From groundbreaking collaborations and startup breakthroughs to heartfelt tributes and student-led innovation, each story is a window into how the IIT Bombay community is shaping a better future, at home and across the world.

 

To begin with, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, and other members of the IIT Bombay leadership team, recently returned from a deeply meaningful visit to Boston, Chicago, and Toronto, where we had the pleasure of meeting alumni across generations. These gatherings were energising—full of thoughtful conversations, warm connections, and a shared pride in what our community continues to achieve around the world. We concluded our trip at the 2025 Faculty Alumni Network (FAN) Symposium at the Georgia Institute of Technology—a vibrant forum that brought together leaders from academia, industry, and the IITB alumni network to explore cutting-edge research areas, global challenges, and new opportunities for collaboration. Look for detailed coverage on all these events in our August 2025 newsletter.

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SPECIAL REPORT








CSR Conclave 2025

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT



• Siddharth Gadia
• Louis George Meprath
• Ravindra N. Kondekar

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CORPORATE COLLABORATION








Rayzon Solar

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FACULTY STARTUP SPOTLIGHT



Prof. Arindrajit Chowdhury

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IN MEMORIAM



• Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar
• Dr. M.R. Srinivasan

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IITB CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE



• GESH IITB
• IRCC-TCA2I

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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT



• Prof. Rajkumar S. Pant
• Prof. Sunita Sarawagi
• Associate Prof. Preethi Jyothi
• Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan

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STUDENT FACULTY COLLABORATION



• IITB Researchers Track Early Impact of Metro Lines
• IITB Researchers Develop Scalable Solution for Clean Energy

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RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT



• Study Sheds Light on How Micro- and Nano-plastics Form
• Understanding Rubcrete
• Searching for Bangs from Cosmic Whispers
• PCOS Likely to Compromise Attention-Based Tasks in Affected Women

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INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS

Cricket Legend Steve Waugh Visits IIT Bombay

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IIT Bombay and IGNOU Join Forces

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IIT Bombay Partners with Imperial College, London

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Faculty Accolades

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Project Titanium

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IIT Bombay Hosts Chemistry Camp for Blind Students

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Building Infrastructure at IIT Bombay

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Upcoming Events
CSR Conclave 2026

IIT Bombay will host its annual CSR Conclave in June 2026. This pivotal event will bring together industry leaders, scholars, and practitioners in corporate social responsibility from across the nation and beyond. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, participate in workshops, and network with peers, all focused on the latest trends […]

Day & Date: June 5, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Venue: IIT Bombay Campus
Institute Valedictory Function (Valfi)

IIT Bombay will celebrate its annual Institute Valedictory Function (Valfi) in May. As always, Valfi will feature an extraordinary alumnus as the Chief Guest for one of its most popular and significant events. The Institute hopes that graduating students will take away many of life’s key lessons from his/her extraordinary professional journey and impactful personal […]

Day & Date: May 1, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm
Venue: Venue: Convocation Hall
Faculty Alumni Network (FAN) 2026

FAN 2026 will bring several of IIT Bombay’s highly accomplished alumni who are in leading positions in academia and industry, together with the senior administration and faculty of IIT Bombay. They will deliberate on strategic matters related to the Institute’s growth as well as emerging areas of research, to nucleate collaborative programmes for mutual impact, […]

Day & Date: Jun 26 - Jun 27, 2026
Venue: TBA
Nashik Alumni Connect

IIT Bombay is pleased to announce the Nashik Alumni Connect in May 2026. Join us to reconnect with fellow alumni, celebrate the IIT Bombay spirit, and be part of engaging conversations and networking opportunities in your city! Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Venue: TBA Registration Link: https://www.iitbombay.org/e/nashik-alumni-connect-2026/

Day & Date: May 9, 2026
Venue: TBA

From the Dean's Desk July-2025

Dear Alumni,

 

As we head into the second half of the year, IIT Bombay continues to build momentum across every front—research, innovation, partnerships, and people. This month’s newsletter presents an inspiring roundup of stories that reflect the Institute’s growing impact in diverse areas, including CSR, deeptech, sustainability, and alumni achievements. From groundbreaking collaborations and startup breakthroughs to heartfelt tributes and student-led innovation, each story is a window into how the IIT Bombay community is shaping a better future, at home and across the world.

 

To begin with, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, and other members of the IIT Bombay leadership team, recently returned from a deeply meaningful visit to Boston, Chicago, and Toronto, where we had the pleasure of meeting alumni across generations. These gatherings were energising—full of thoughtful conversations, warm connections, and a shared pride in what our community continues to achieve around the world. We concluded our trip at the 2025 Faculty Alumni Network (FAN) Symposium at the Georgia Institute of Technology—a vibrant forum that brought together leaders from academia, industry, and the IITB alumni network to explore cutting-edge research areas, global challenges, and new opportunities for collaboration. Look for detailed coverage on all these events in our August 2025 newsletter.

 

This June, IIT Bombay’s CSR Conclave 2025 brought together over 500 participants—from top corporate leaders and visionary philanthropists to researchers and students—united by one powerful goal: fuelling technology for nation-building. With 81 new partnerships committed in FY 2024–25, the Institute showcased its high-impact, tech-led, and governance-driven CSR vision. Don’t miss our in-depth look at the key discussions, standout partners, and the launch of the CSR Catalogue 2025 in the Special Report section.

 

This month’s Alumni Spotlight showcases the extraordinary breadth of the IIT Bombay alumni community. Siddharth Gadia is backing early-stage healthcare startups through Zeno Health’s new founder-first platform. Louis George Meprath reminded us that excellence never retires by winning Gold at the World Masters Games in Taipei. And Ravindra N. Kondekar shared a thoughtful piece on reclaiming deep focus in a distracted world. Look for these remarkable stories in the Alumni Spotlight section.

 

We are delighted to announce that in a major step toward a greener tomorrow, IIT Bombay has partnered with Rayzon Solar to advance innovation in photovoltaic technology and solar module design. This collaboration blends cutting-edge R&D with hands-on student training, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and real-world impact. Read more about this high-impact alliance in the Corporate Collaboration section.

 

What does it take to revolutionize satellite servicing from right here in India? A bold idea, deeptech innovation, and a faculty founder with vision. Prof. Arindrajit Chowdhury’s startup, InspeCity, incubated at IIT Bombay, has raised $5.6 million to extend satellite life and tackle orbital congestion. Explore how this ambitious venture is shaping the future of space sustainability in the Faculty Startup Spotlight section.

 

This month, we remember and pay tribute to two monumental figures in Indian science, Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar and Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, both of whom had longstanding ties with IIT Bombay. Their pioneering work left a lasting imprint on India’s scientific institutions, and their lives continue to inspire our academic community. The Institute has shared heartfelt messages commemorating their legacies—read more in the In Memoriam section.

 

This month, two of IIT Bombay’s Centres of Excellence made headlines for driving innovation with real-world impact. IIT Bombay’s Research Hub for Green Energy and Sustainability (GESH IITB) marked a major milestone with the conclusion of its first Living Lab Fellowship and the Greenovate 2025 showcase, both of which championed student-led solutions for a greener campus and planet. Meanwhile, the Technocraft Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence (TCA2I), in collaboration with IRCC, hosted a dynamic Industry Day focused on Intelligent Decision Support Systems, reinforcing our commitment to industry partnerships and translational research.

 

This month’s Faculty Spotlight section highlights the remarkable breadth of IIT Bombay’s impact, both in reach and relevance. Prof. Rajkumar S. Pant brought the wonder of aerospace engineering to schoolchildren in rural Punjab, while faculty members Prof. Sunita Sarawagi, Prof. Preethi Jyothi, and Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan were recognised by Forbes India as top AI trailblazers shaping the future of inclusive and indigenous AI. Their efforts exemplify IIT Bombay’s commitment to excellence in education, social outreach, and pathbreaking research.

 

From decoding Mumbai’s evolving commute patterns to generating clean energy from a gentle breeze, IIT Bombay’s students and faculty continue to push the boundaries of applied research. This month’s Faculty-Student spotlight section features how these collaborations are solving urban challenges and advancing sustainable technology, whether by tracking the societal impact of new metro lines or designing flutter-driven wind harvesters with zero moving parts. At IIT Bombay, ideas don’t just stay on paper—they power the future.

 

As always, you’ll also find our regular features, including Research Spotlight, Faculty Accolades, Institute News and Highlights, Upcoming Events, and more in this month’s newsletter.

 

Finally, my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for staying connected with your alma mater. Your continued support, engagement, and pride in IIT Bombay fuel our journey forward. We hope this edition leaves you inspired and reminded of the powerful legacy we share.

 

As we soak in these stories of innovation and impact, it’s also the perfect moment to celebrate the beauty that surrounds our campus at this time of year. The Mumbai monsoons transform IIT Bombay into a lush, emerald haven—a season that brings both reflection and renewed energy. We are delighted to share this wonderful video that capture this magical monsoon spirit on campus.

Signing off from the lovely verdant green campus,

 

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