National, 19th September, 2024: BITS Pilani, a renowned institution known for its commitment to innovation, proudly announce a generous $1 Million (₹8.40 crore) contribution from alumni couple, Mr. Ravinder Kumar Bhat (from the 1978 batch) and Ms. Sumita Desarkar (from the 1981 batch). The fresh pledge takes the total commitment for the endowment to more than $18 million.
Ms. Desarkar and Mr. Ravinder Kumar Bhat are serial entrepreneurs based in the UAE. Over the course of their two-decade residency, they have established businesses across various sectors, including construction, commodity trading, infrastructure and oil & gas equipment, as well as event management.
This donation, under the’ Sumita Desarkar & Ravinder K. Bhat Fund for Institutional Development,’ is part of the proposed $100 million BITS Pilani Endowment Fund, aimed at driving institutional growth and supporting innovation.
Ms. Desarkar and Mr. Bhat shared, “BITS Pilani has profoundly shaped our personal and professional journeys not only through its world-class educators, and instilling a strong work ethic but also through the network which we developed and still strongly maintain. We are honored to give forward to the institute that laid the foundation for our careers and growth with the hope that this contribution will further the legacy of excellence and create new opportunities for future generations.”
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, expressed gratitude and stated, “We are deeply grateful for this support. This fund will greatly enhance our efforts towards academic and infrastructural development, pushing the institute toward new horizons.”
Prof. Arya Kumar, Dean of Alumni Relations, added, “This contribution is a testament to the enduring relationship between our alumni and the institute and their love for the institution. The impact of Sumita and Ravinder’s generosity will resonate for years to come.”
This fund will facilitate upgradation of labs, infrastructure enhancements, research initiatives, and the overall educational experience to the students across BITS Pilani’s campuses, helping the institute achieve its mission of academic excellence and innovation.