The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani has announced a USD 4 million donation from a US-based alumnus couple, which has helped its pioneering endowment fund exceed USD 34 million in secured pledges and receipts. The donation is part of the institute’s long-term effort to establish a USD 100 million Endowment Fund to support scholarships, faculty development, research, student financial aid and other strategic institutional priorities.
Largest Individual Alumni Contribution Anchors Endowment Growth
The latest contribution — the largest individual gift from a BITS alumnus to date — was made by Chand P Garg (1968 batch) and his wife Manju Garg, both based in the United States. Chand Garg, a Mechanical Engineering graduate who went on to succeed in international trade and entrepreneurship, has credited his foundational education at BITS Pilani for his professional achievements. According to campus leadership, the endowment fund reflects strong global alumni engagement and is intended to foster institutional excellence over the long term. The Garg family’s gift will specifically be utilised to help fund student scholarships, with plans to support a group of deserving students each year, including a focus on those from financially constrained backgrounds.
Endowment Fund Goals and Institutional Vision
BITS Pilani’s Endowment Fund, a first-of-its-kind initiative among Indian non-government higher education institutes, is designed to provide a sustainable revenue stream for key academic and research investments. The fund’s broader objectives include:
- Supporting merit-based and need-based scholarships for students
- Enhancing faculty research capacity and academic programmes
- Strengthening international research collaboration and academic engagement
- Expanding student financial aid and access to quality education
By mobilising funds from its global alumni community, the institute aims to build a financial base that can help it compete with leading global universities in both academic reputation and research output.
Impact on Students and Academic Programmes
Per statements from BITS Pilani leadership, a portion of the endowment will directly fund scholarships for meritorious students, particularly those who may otherwise struggle to complete their education due to financial limitations. Some scholarships will also be earmarked for female students, aligning with broader goals of inclusivity and access. Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, noted that alumni participation in the endowment exemplifies an enduring commitment to the institute’s mission and provides critical support for future generations of students and researchers.
The Role of Alumni and Future Prospects
The success of the endowment initiative highlights the growing influence of alumni philanthropy in higher education, particularly for private institutions like BITS Pilani that rely on non-government funding sources. The institute expects further contributions from its extensive alumni network as it works toward the USD 100 million endowment target.Alumni contributions not only enable expanded scholarship support but also position BITS Pilani to undertake new academic and research initiatives that require stable, long-term funding — an increasingly important factor in global university competitiveness.