Jyoti
B.Tech Class of 2000 donates ₹100 crore to bridge the gap between Technology and Society;
School to offer advanced labs, fellowships, and scholarships.
G-INews, Kanpur: IIT Kanpur is set to redefine higher education with the establishment of the ‘Millennium School of Technology and Society’ (MSTAS). Funded by a generous ₹100 crore donation from the “Millennium Batch” (the Class of 2000), this school aims to act as a bridge between technical education and social welfare.Realizing the Vision of NEP 2020In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, MSTAS will be the first of its kind at IIT Kanpur to foster a truly interdisciplinary environment. Here, engineers and social scientists will collaborate to find scientifically sound solutions to pressing societal challenges. The curriculum will integrate diverse fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Public Policy, Engineering, Data Science, Ethics, and Social Sciences.Focus on Real-World InnovationProf. Amay Karkare, Dean of Resources and Alumni, highlighted that the initiative will significantly boost research in critical areas. Students and researchers will focus on global issues, including:Climate Change and Sustainable DevelopmentHealthcare and Urban DevelopmentDigital InclusionThe ₹100 crore endowment will be utilized to develop state-of-the-art laboratories, research fellowships, scholarships, and international collaboration programs.
A Look at Other Specialized Schools at IIT Kanpur
The Millennium School joins an elite list of specialized centers at the institute, largely supported by its global alumni network:
Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology: Focusing on the intersection of medicine and engineering, this ₹1,000 crore project has received over ₹500 crore in donations. Major contributors include Indigo Chairman Rakesh Gangwal (₹108 crore), Muktesh Pant (₹19 crore), and JK Cement (₹60 crore). Admissions are expected to begin next year.
Kotak Mahindra School of Sustainability: Originally started as the ‘Chandrakanta Kesavan Centre for Energy Policy and Climate Solutions’ with help from alumnus Sudhakar Kesavan, this center evolved into a full-fledged school after a ₹120 crore grant from Kotak Mahindra Bank. It leads the development of policy and technological solutions for climate change.
Wadhwani School of Advanced AI and Intelligent Systems: Founded by the Wadhwani Foundation (led by IIT Bombay alumnus Dr. Romesh Wadhwani), this school focuses on cutting-edge AI, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and AI Policy through interdisciplinary faculty and student teams.
