DEAN ACR NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2023

From the Dean's Desk August-2023

Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi

Ph.D., FNAE and FIIChE Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations Institute AI & ML Chair Professor

“

Dear Alumnus

“Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth;
without rain, there would be no life.”

John Updike

 

John Updike’s profound words perfectly capture the essence of July in Mumbai. After the sweltering heat that dominated the months of May and June, the monsoon rains descended in the city and brought much-needed respite and a renewed sense of vitality to IIT Bombay and Mumbaikars.

July was also a very busy month for the Dean ACR and DRF office.

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FACULTY PROFILE


Professor Krishna Kaliappan: A Champion Educator’s Inspiring Journey of Empowering Students Through Teaching

These profound words epitomize the unwavering passion and transformative impact of Professor Krishna Kaliappan, Dean – Strategy, and Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Bombay.

A self-confessed-passionate teacher, Prof. Kaliappan’s boundless enthusiasm and commitment to nurturing the minds of the next generation of students is infectious. He is an educator who imparts knowledge by understanding the needs of his students, even as he continues to kindle a sense of curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth in his students. With his genuine belief in their potential, Prof. Kaliappan empowers his students to soar to new heights and become the architects of a brighter future.

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ALUMNI GIVING

Honouring a Visionary Thinker and Leader – IIT Bombay Celebrates Mr. Nandan Nilekani’s Homecoming and Dedicates Iconic Main Building to Him

IIT Bombay celebrated 65 Years of its pursuit of excellence toward global leadership with a grand event held on campus on July 26, 2023. The Institute brought together many of its distinguished alumni, faculty, students, well-wishers, and entrepreneurs. The occasion honoured the exemplary contributions, mentorship, and overall involvement of alumni and well-wishers who have played a critical role in the continued growth and progress of the Institute.

As part of this event, a special felicitation ceremony was held to honour one of IIT Bombay’s most Distinguished Alumni, Mr. Nandan Nilekani – a visionary thought leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

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STUDENT SUCCESS STORY

IIT Bombay Student Researchers Make Waves Down Under (Part 1) Sujit Chauhan and Yagya Narayan Secure the Coveted Australia India Research Students (AIRS) Fellowship

Sujit Chauhan and Yagya Narayan are two of the four brilliant student researchers from IIT Bombay, who proved that determination, perseverance, and unwavering passion can yield remarkable results. They were recently chosen for the prestigious “Australia India Research Students" (AIRS) Fellowship program. These young researchers have not just excelled in their academic pursuits but are also inspiring their peers and fellow students at IIT Bombay to dream big and reach for the stars.

The Dean ACR Newsletter is delighted to speak to Sujit and Yagya on their academic journey so far and what they have planned for their future.

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RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT


A Breakthrough in Solar Cell Technology from IIT Bombay; Measures one of the Highest Efficiency for a Perovskite-based Solar Device

The following article was originally written by Dennis C. Joy: (https://www.iitb.ac.in/en/research-highlight/breakthrough-solar-cell-technology-iit-bombay-measures-one-highest-efficiency)

First experimental demonstration of a 4T- silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell from India, with efficiency greater than 26%.

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Upcoming Events
Hostel Celebration Day

Project Evergreen is the brainchild of the Institute’s alumni and their commitment to building a state-of-the-art hostel complex for the current and future generations of IITB students. The name Evergreen is as much a reflection of the verdant lushness of the Powai campus, as much as it is of the alumni’s everlasting connection to their […]

Day & Date: December 20, 2025
Time: 11:00 am
Venue: Project Evergreen Building
Alumni Day

IIT Bombay will celebrate its annual Institute Valedictory Function (Valfi) in May. As always, Valfi will feature an extraordinary alumnus as the Chief Guest for one of its most popular and significant events. The Institute hopes that graduating students will take away many of life’s key lessons from his/her extraordinary professional journey and impactful personal […]

Day & Date: December 28, 2025
Venue: Convocation Hall

From the Dean's Desk August-2023

Dear Alumnus

“Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth;
without rain, there would be no life.”

John Updike

John Updike’s profound words perfectly capture the essence of July in Mumbai. After the sweltering heat that dominated the months of May and June, the monsoon rains descended in the city and brought much-needed respite and a renewed sense of vitality to IIT Bombay and Mumbaikars.

 

July was also a very busy month for the Dean ACR and DRF office.

 

We commemorated the Institute’s 65 years of pursuing global leadership and excellence and invited our alumni, faculty members, students, and our extended IIT Bombay community to celebrate with us. As part of the celebrations, we also hosted a felicitation ceremony for one of our very own – the illustrious Nandan Nilekani – whose extraordinary philanthropic gift to the Institute awed us. We dedicated the Main Building on campus to him, which will henceforth be known as the Nandan Nilekani Main Building. Please join me in thanking Nandan for his exceptional contribution certainly to his alma mater, but also for his monumental service to the nation. We, at IIT Bombay, feel hugely inspired and are determined to build on the momentum going forward.

 

A team from IIT Bombay travelled to Chicago for our annual FAN-ADAM event and I am delighted to state that it was a resounding success and one that brought us closer as a community. It was an absolute pleasure to witness the vibrant energy and camaraderie amongst our attendees including faculty members and our esteemed alumni. I am delighted at the strides that our alumni have made even as each of you humbly have attributed your successes to the indelible mark IIT Bombay has left on your life. Please look for a short Special Report on FAN-ADAM in the newsletter.

 

From Chicago, we travelled to Canada. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the warm reception we received during the Roadshow in Toronto and Vancouver. Connecting with our alumni in these beautiful cities, having intellectual discussions, and sharing memories of our cherished alma mater reflected a genuine sense of belonging between us. As we rekindled old connections and forged new ones, it was evident that the bond between IIT Bombay and our alumni truly transcends time and distance.

 

We also crowned the champions of the second iteration of the Invention Factory program. Please look for a detailed Special Report in the newsletter.

 

As always, we have all of our other regular articles including Faculty Profile, Chair Professorships, Faculty Accolades, Student Success Stories, Alumni News, Institute Highlights, Upcoming Events, and more in this month’s newsletter.

 

As we move forward, I want to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the ties between IIT Bombay and our alumni community. Together, we can create a thriving network that fosters lifelong learning, professional growth, and collective progress. Your involvement in our initiatives plays a pivotal role in strengthening and shaping the future of our cherished Institute.

 

I look forward to meeting you and urge you to drop by and visit us the next time you are in Mumbai.

 

Sincerely,

Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Ph.D., FNAE and FIIChE
Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations
Institute AI & ML Chair Professor