Vani Jha
The fund donation will be used to facilitate lab upgradation and infrastructure developments; and forms part of the 100 million BITS Pilani endowment fund. BITS Pilani alumni Ravinder Kumar Bhat and Sumita Desarka pledge donations towards the $100 million endowment fund for lab upgradation, infrastructure development, and academic growth at BITS Pilani.
To learn more about scholarship programs and other several events you can read our blog section; one of which is the article below:
Read here also: Study Abroad Scholarship: Prodigy Finance Offers $5000 for Spring 2025 Session – Apply by September 30
The Birla Institute of Technology And Science Technology, Pilani, said recently that it received a donation from BITS Pilani alumni couple Ravinder Kumar Bhat (from the 1978 batch) and Sumita Desarka (from the 1981 batch) for institutional development. An official statement from the institute said the fresh pledge takes BITS Pilani’s commitment to an endowment of over $18 million.
The proposed donation is part of the $100-million BITS Pilani endowment fund, as stated, for “driving institutional growth and supporting innovation”. The fund will therefore provide for better lab upgradation, infrastructure development, research work, and overall educational experience of the students on all the BITS Pilani campuses. An initiative to help the institute achieve its mission of academic excellence and innovation.
The donation is part of the proposed $100 million BITS Pilani Endowment Fund, of which $20 million will have been contributed if this amount adds up as well. This donation comes under the’ Sumita Desarkar and Ravinder K Bhat Fund for Institutional Development,’ according to the note.
According to the official declaration, both of them are business owners and residents in the UAE. In the last two decades of staying in the UAE, the couple has established businesses in various streams in construction, commodity trading, infrastructure, oil and gas equipment, and event management.
Alumni endowment by BITS Pilani alumni
BITS Pilani has indeed shaped our personal and professional journeys not only through its world-class teachers and the instilling of a strong work ethic but also through the network which we have developed and still strongly maintain.”. So, we are honoured to give forward to the institute that has founded our careers and growth with the hope that this contribution will further the legacy of excellence and create new opportunities for future generations, added the BITS Pilani alumni couple.
Vice-chancellor BITS Pilani Professor V Ramgopal Rao said he was grateful for the support and added, “We are deeply grateful for this support. This fund will greatly enhance our efforts toward academic and infrastructural development, pushing the institute toward new horizons.”
Professor Arya Kumar, Alumni Relations said: “This giving speaks volumes of the enduring bond between our alumni and the institute, as well as their love for the institution. Sumita and Ravinder’s act will have an enduring impact that will keep echoing for years to come.”
Conclusion
Generous contributions towards this were made by the BITS Pilani alumni: Ravinder Kumar Bhat and Sumita Desarka. Their donation has given the institute a perfect sense of belongingness, and this is proving to be significant towards the greater future of the institution. Their contribution was part of a US$ 100 million endowment fund so created for enhancement in infrastructure, labs, and academic excellence at BITS Pilani alumni.
This support will not only enliven the current learning experiences but also pave the way for innovation and research for generations to come. This remarkable gesture showcases BITS Pilani’s relentless pursuit of strengthening alumni relations and ushering in institutional growth by creating a legacy of excellence for future generations.