DEAN ACR NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2023

From the Dean's Desk September-2023

Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi

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

“

Dear Alumnus,

 

Greetings from IIT Bombay!

 

I write to you today with immense pride and joy as we celebrate and bask in the glow of our nation’s successes on the global stage. The successful launch of Chandrayaan 3 made India the fourth country to land on the moon and the very first country to land on the lunar south pole. IIT Bombay, along with millions of Indians all over the world, watched the live landing with bated breath, and the sheer joy that we all felt at the successful landing will stay in our hearts forever. I am attaching a video that captures the moment at your alma mater when Chandrayan 3 landed. I can still feel the goosebumps! Hearty congratulations to ISRO on this stupendous accomplishment!

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ALUMNI GIVING

Leaving Behind A Green Legacy: IIT Bombay Alumnus Pledges $18.6 Million (Largest Ever Donation by a US-Based Alumnus) to their Alma Mater

IIT Bombay to Set up a Green Energy and Sustainability Research Hub

A US-based alumnus of IIT Bombay has pledged $18.6 million to the Institute to set up a Green Energy and Sustainability Research Hub at the Institute. This unprecedented contribution solidifies the alumnus' commitment to his alma mater even as it will drive IIT Bombay’s efforts to be at the forefront of innovation and developing cutting-edge technology solutions for the ongoing global climate crisis.

The hub will focus on critical areas including climate risks and work towards developing effective mitigation strategies, developing climate change adaptation measures, and providing comprehensive environmental monitoring.

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FACULTY PROFILE


Prof. Ramesh Singh, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay, is also the Associate Dean (IPS)-II at the Institute. Prof. Singh balances the pursuit of groundbreaking research with an unwavering dedication to his students' growth. As an empathetic mentor, he fosters an academic environment that educates and illuminates the minds of his extremely fortunate students.

The Dean ACR newsletter is honoured to speak to him for the September 2023 edition.

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RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT


Revolutionizing Pregnancy Research: IIT Bombay’s Placenta-On-Chip Triumph

Researchers from IIT Bombay, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) in Parel, have pioneered the creation of an innovative device that mimics the human placenta. These advanced placenta-on-a-chip models offer tremendous promise in comprehending pregnancy-related challenges such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes

IIT Bombay’s Prof. Abhijit Majumder, Department of Chemical Engineering, and the NIRRCH’s Dr. Deepak Modi came together on this path-breaking research endeavour.

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STUDENT SUCCESS STORY

From Campus to Cosmos: Tracing the Journey of IIT Bombay’s Student Rocketeers

IITB Rocket Team: Building Adyant and Representing the Institute in Global Rocketry Competitions

Founded in 2020 by six passionate students, IIT Bombay’s Rocket Team has grown rapidly since then. With the vision to revolutionize the field of rocket engineering, they have garnered recognition as India's first INSPACe and PMO-recognized tech team. Mentored by faculty advisors Prof. Neeraj Kumbhakarna and Prof. Nagendra Kumar, as well as guided by Mr. Jim Wilkerson (official Flyer of Record) and scientists at ISRO and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the team is setting new benchmarks in rocketry.

Within a short period, the team successfully built Adyant, a high-powered solid propellant rocket. With a payload capacity of 4kg and a target altitude of 10,000 feet, Adyant stands at an impressive 220cm in height and 15cm in diameter.

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Upcoming Events
Alumination 2025

The Student Alumni Relations Cell (SARC) presents Alumination 2025 – IIT Bombay’s flagship alumni–student connect. Join us on 2nd November 2025 for a day of insightful interactions, mentorship, networking, and celebrations with our esteemed alumni community. Together, let’s strengthen the bond that makes IIT Bombay truly special. Date: November 2, 2025Venue: IIT Bombay Campus

Day & Date: Nov 02 - Nov 02, 2025
Venue: IIT Bombay Campus
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, 2025Time: 1:00 […]

Day & Date: December 28, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm 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: December 20, 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: 5:00 PM to […]

Day & Date: Nov 15 - Dec 13, 2025
Venue: TBD
Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM) – 30-Year Reunion and 30th Anniversary

IIT Bombay’s SJMSOM will celebrate its 30-year reunion and 30th anniversary in November 2025. The celebrations will include high-impact forums and panel discussions with leaders across sectors, followed by alumni-led reflections on management education. The Alumni Reunion will include a “Reconnect & Celebrate” session, a nostalgic campus exploration tour, and an evening off-campus networking dinner. Date: […]

Day & Date: November 1, 2025
Venue: IIT Bombay Campus

From the Dean's Desk September-2023

Dear Alumnus,

 

Greetings from IIT Bombay!

 

I write to you today with immense pride and joy as we celebrate and bask in the glow of our nation’s successes on the global stage. The successful launch of Chandrayaan 3 made India the fourth country to land on the moon and the very first country to land on the lunar south pole. IIT Bombay, along with millions of Indians all over the world, watched the live landing with bated breath, and the sheer joy that we all felt at the successful landing will stay in our hearts forever. I am attaching a video that captures the moment at your alma mater when Chandrayan 3 landed. I can still feel the goosebumps! Hearty congratulations to ISRO on this stupendous accomplishment!
Click here for the video

 

On the heels of Chandrayan 3 came another global victory for the country. Our very own super-athlete, Neeraj Chopra, and his glorious athletic pursuits continued when he won the Gold Medal in Javelin at the World Athletics Championship. What drive and commitment it must take for this young athlete to continue to win consistently on the global stage! We congratulate Neeraj on his extraordinary feat and look forward to the many more accolades he is sure to bring in the future.

 

Both these events are testimony to the unwavering spirit of excellence that defines us as Indians. At IIT Bombay, we stand united with our fellow citizens in embracing these accomplishments as part of a collective journey.

 

Moving on to the many events and activities that took place on campus in August – as always, the Dean ACR office had a busy month.

 

Let me begin by thanking the incredible generosity shown by our alumni community. A Hostel 4 alumnus has committed $18 million to establish a Green Energy and Sustainability Research Hub within the Institute. This exceptional contribution reinforces IIT Bombay’s commitment to innovating and crafting advanced tech solutions for the pressing global climate crisis. Please look for more details on this exceptional contribution in our Alumni Giving section in the newsletter.

 

IIT Bombay was honoured to have Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, who unveiled a critical collaboration between the Institute and HSBC India to revolutionise green hydrogen technology. Please look for a detailed write-up on this crucial partnership in the Special Report section in the NL.

 

Continuing with the tech theme, IIT Bombay has always been at the forefront of pioneering change and our enduring mission continues to be to advance the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation. I am delighted that IIT Bombay inaugurated its newest Centre of Excellence on Membrane Technologies for Desalination, Brine Management, and Water Recycling on campus. Look for more details on the CoE launch in the Special Report section in the NL.

 

Our faculty members continue to make us proud. Our very own, Prof. Abhijit Majumder, Department of Chemical Engineering, and Prof. Debjani Paul, senior faculty at the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering (together with Dr. Deepak Modi of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health), have come together to develop an innovative device that replicates the functions of the human placenta. Please look out for the Research Spotlight section in the newsletter that details more of their phenomenal work and highlights the extensive media coverage their research has garnered. Needless to say, I am delighted with the outstanding accomplishments of our faculty members whose groundbreaking work continues to bring honour to our beloved alma mater.

 

Our very own illustrious alumnus, Mr. Shirish Deodhar (B.Tech., Electrical Engineering, 1980) has kick-started the IIT Bombay Alumni Grove Project. The project is inspired by the 14Trees Foundation which is committed to building sustainable and carbon-footprint-neutral ecosystems through reforestation. A group of IIT Bombay alumni and faculty came together in Khed, Maharashtra, and planted trees in honour of faculty members who embraced this initiative. What an outstanding initiative Shirish has started! Please look for more details on Shirish’s passion project under the Alumni News section in the newsletter.

 

As always, we have all of our other regular articles including Faculty Profile, Student Success Stories, Faculty Accolades, Institute News and Highlights, Upcoming Events, and more in this month’s newsletter.

 

As the autumn breeze brings with it a sense of renewed energy, I invite you to reconnect, reminisce, and embrace the spirit of togetherness that defines our IIT Bombay fraternity. Let us strive to carry forward this spirit of unity, collaboration, and excellence as we embark on new and exciting endeavours together. May the bonds we share continue to grow stronger, and may we continue to make a lasting impact on society and our country.

 

Sincerely,

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