Kanpur: Marking another significant milestone in his association with his alma mater, IIT Kanpur’s distinguished alumnus and co-founder of IndiGo, Rakesh Gangwal, committed an additional Rs 300 crore towards the continued development of the Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT-K. This builds on his landmark contribution of Rs 100 crore in 2022, which supported the Institute’s plans to establish a medical school on campus, taking his cumulative contribution towards the Gangwal School to Rs 400 crore.With this commitment, Gangwal will provide matching grants against contributions from other supporters, of up to Rs 300 crore, towards the development of the school. The initiative aims to encourage broader support from alumni, philanthropists, and other well-wishers for IIT-K’s vision of advancing medical education, research, clinical innovation, and MedTech ambitions.The school’s development plans also include a 500-bed super-speciality hospital on the IIT-K campus, along with a proposed 200-bed cancer care research centre. The facilities are envisioned to support medical education, clinical research and healthcare delivery, while creating opportunities for doctors, researchers, engineers and technology experts to work together on emerging healthcare challenges.Prof Manindra Agrawal, director, IIT-K, said: “Recognising the potential of interdisciplinary research and innovation in engineering technology and medicine to transform healthcare delivery across India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, IIT-Kanpur ventured into establishing a medical school. In 2022, Mr Gangwal contributed Rs 100 crore, which helped the institute set the plans in motion. This additional contribution of Rs 300 crore by Mr Gangwal will help us bring this vision into reality sooner.”Announcing his contribution, Gangwal said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be part of this innovative and first-of-its-kind medical institution.”The Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology brings together IIT Kanpur’s strengths in engineering, science and technology with medical sciences, focusing on advanced academic programmes, interdisciplinary research, futuristic medicine and MedTech innovation.
