BITS Pilani alumna donates $1 million to endowment fund for scholarships

Usha Kumar, based in the UK became the first female donor from BITS Pilani to contribute $1 million. These funds will support scholarships for girls and PhD fellowships.

These funds will support scholarships for girls and PhD fellowships. (Representational/ PTI)

Ayushi Bisht | October 22, 2024 | 06:16 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Birla Institute of Technology And Science (BITS) Pilani has received significant contributions worth $2 million from its alumni. This support comes from Usha Kumar, an alumna from the batch of 1967, and Alok Kothari, an alumnus from the class of 1988. Their combined donations are aimed at supporting the institute's bold $100 Million Endowment Fund, which seeks to improve the educational experience and create more opportunities for students.

These donations are specifically designated for key initiatives, such as scholarships for female students, PhD fellowships, and the creation of a Centre of Excellence in Sustainability.

Usha Kumar, based in the UK, made history as the first female donor from BITS Pilani to contribute $1 million. Her donation will fund scholarships for girls and PhD fellowships. "We hope our contribution will help deserving and underprivileged students, particularly girls, to pursue their education at BITS Pilani, and that the institute will continue to excel in delivering top-notch education to the youth," said Usha Kumar.

Alok Kothari, Founding Executive of the unicorn company Netskope Inc, also donated $1 million, which will be used to set up the Centre of Excellence in Sustainability.

Arya Kumar, Dean Alumni Relations, said “The connect that BITS alumni have with each other and the institution is quite strong. More and more alumni are now interested in ‘paying it forward’, inspiring their fellow BITSians to help propel the growth of the institute. Whenever alumni contribute, we feel a lot of pride and accept their gift with all humility and a renewed sense of purpose to give momentum to strategic thrust areas for growth.”

BITS Pilani’s Endowment Fund

BITS Pilani’s Endowment Fund is a long-term financial initiative aimed at raising $100 million to support various strategic goals of the institution. The fund is designed to enhance the quality of education, research, and campus infrastructure by providing sustainable financial resources.

Contributions to the endowment fund are used to support scholarships, faculty development, research programs, and the creation of Centers of Excellence in key areas like sustainability. The goal of the fund is to ensure that BITS Pilani can continue to offer world-class education and opportunities to students and researchers.

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