Varanasi: Alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU Varanasi of the 1976 batch announced Rs 57 lakh for the ‘Gurudakshina Project’ to support infrastructure development during their Golden Jubilee Reunion on Thursday. The 3-day event, held from Feb 25 to 27, saw participation of over 85 alumni from across India and abroad, along with their family members. Addressing the alumni, director Prof Amit Patra highlighted rapid progress made by the institute over the past decade, including expansion of modern infrastructure, growth in research output and initiatives in emerging domains such as MedTech and AgriTech.The Vice-Chancellor of BHU, Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, who attended as guest of honour, underlined the unique and symbiotic relationship between BHU and IIT-BHU. He noted that collaborative efforts in medicine, agriculture and interdisciplinary research contributed meaningfully to society and nation-building. Relationship between BHU and IIT- BHU is rooted in shared values and a common vision for national development. “Our alumni community continues to inspire us through their global achievements and their unwavering emotional and institutional connect,” he said. Dean of resource and alumni affairs Prof Hiralal Pramanik acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the 1976 batch in the fields of science, technology, and leadership, and thanked them for their continued mentorship and support to the institute.In a significant announcement, the batch declared a contribution of Rs 57 lakh under the ‘Gurudakshina Project’ to support institutional development. The proposed philanthropic initiative includes setting up a virtual prototyping lab to enhance academic and research capabilities.The alumni revisited classrooms, interacted with students and walked through familiar campus avenues, reliving memories of their formative years. The event was coordinated by the student alumni interaction cell, which facilitated campus visits and departmental interactions.
