In a landmark show of alumni support, the Class of 1998 of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) on Thursday pledged Rs57 crore to back several strategic initiatives at their alma mater, including a major thrust on student well-being and faculty excellence.
Announced during their 25-year reunion in December 2023 and formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, the commitment represents one of the largest batch contributions to the institute to date. A key component of the pledge is the establishment of the IITB Student Flourishing Hub—an initiative aimed at nurturing emotional resilience and self-management skills among students.
“The Hub will empower students to navigate challenges and develop the leadership skills needed to excel in their careers, whether in startups, corporations, academia, government, entrepreneurial ventures, or the social impact space,” IIT Bombay said in a statement.
Representatives from the Class of 1998 noted that the Flourishing Hub builds on IIT Bombay’s existing student wellness ecosystem and aspires to help students thrive not just academically but also socially and emotionally. “This initiative will help students lead meaningful, fulfilling lives while they are at IITB and as they step into the world,” the batch stated.
In addition to the Hub, the pledge will fund the Young Faculty Fellowship to attract and retain top academic talent, support retired professors through the Retired Faculty Wellness Fund, and contribute to Project Evergreen—a student hostel expansion drive. The funds will also be channelled towards expanding financial aid for students from underprivileged backgrounds and bolstering innovation through advanced Makerspaces and Robotics labs.
Praising the gesture, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT-B, said, “The generosity of the Class of 1998 is a testament to the deep bond our alumni share with the Institute. Their support will empower students and faculty to push boundaries, innovate fearlessly and carry forward the IIT-B legacy.”
The announcement comes at a time when IIT-B has been scaling new heights globally, recently ranked 1st in India and 118th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
