IIT Kanpur Class of 2000 pledges Rs 100 crore for new school at campus

The Class of 2000 of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has announced a pledge of Rs 100 crore to the institute during its Silver Jubilee Reunion held on campus. The institute states that this is the highest pledge announced by a single graduating batch across academic institutions in India.

According to IIT Kanpur, the pledged amount will be used to support the establishment of the Millennium School of Technology and Society at the institute.

The proposed school is intended to focus on education and research at the intersection of technology and societal challenges. The institute said the initiative aligns with its plans to expand interdisciplinary academic programmes and research capacity.

The announcement was made during the Silver Jubilee Reunion, which saw participation from alumni of the Class of 2000 who are currently based in India and abroad. The reunion included campus visits and interactions with faculty and current students, along with discussions on the institute’s future academic and research priorities.

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IIT Kanpur alumni role in institutional development

IIT Kanpur noted that alumni contributions form a key part of its institutional development plans, particularly in areas related to infrastructure, research, and academic expansion. The institute further states that the proposed school will be developed in consultation with the alumni batch and relevant academic bodies.

In a statement issued by the institute, director IIT Kanpur Manindra Agrawal said, “This remarkable pledge of ₹100 crore by the Class of 2000’s is an affirmation of the enduring bond between IIT Kanpur and its alumni. Such collective giving not only strengthens our academic and research ecosystem but also inspires future generations to give back to the institution that shaped them.”

Sharing his reflections on behalf of the batch, Naveen Tewari, an alumnus of the Class of 2000, said, “IIT Kanpur gave us far more than a degree—it gave us the courage to think big, question assumptions, and build with purpose. This pledge is our collective way of giving back and ensuring that future generations receive the same, if not greater, opportunities to learn and lead.”