IIT : Indian Institute of Technology

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For Varsity 150th Birthday Bash, Few Contributions From Students

Consider this. The Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) is cashing million- dollar cheques from its alumni for its golden jubilee.

Meanwhile, next door, the University of Mumbai has been able to collect only Rs 1.20 lakh from its alumni for its 150-year milestone, to be celebrated on July 18.

While IIT-B started raising funds for it’s 50th anniversary—to be held only in 2007-08—over a year ago, the Mumbai university woke up only in January this year and issued an advertisement appealing to the alumni for contributions.

Six months on, the response from individual alumni has been nil. And this, from an institution which has thousands of students passing out each year and in a city teeming with the ‘whose-who’, who’ve had some ties or the other with the university.

Says Vice-Chancellor Vijay Khole: ‘‘Contributions from the alumni are always very important. And if the amount raised is substantial, the money will be utilised for developmental activities of the university.’’

But officials feel that the university should have been more aggressive in their approach.

‘‘Advertising just once is not enough. The university has more than 200 affiliated colleges. So, it’s obvious that students will not feel a sense of belongingness with the university. Hence they contribute to their respective colleges,’’ reasoned an official.

Inspite of having completed her Master of Arts (Economics) from the university, 26-year-old Nasreen Shaikh is not keen on contributing to the university. ‘‘Firstly, I didn’t know about the appeal. Besides, I would rather help my college monetarily for their specific development work rather than to the university, where I won’t know where my money will go,’’ says Shaikh, a banker.

Agrees Shalini Iyer (30). ‘‘I have no issues with pitching in, provided I know exactly where the money is being utilised and for which project. Recently, the university has been receiving large sums of money for upgradation. So I guess, it is rich enough now.’’

Stating that the response from the Central government, various ministries and corporates has been ‘‘very encouraging’’, Member Secretary of the Coordination Committee Venkatesh Kumar says: ‘‘The idea of the appeal was to urge individual alumni to try and join us in celebrating 150 years in any manner. But it also depends upon students’ linkage with the university.’’

Source : http://cities.expressindia.com/

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