The 52-year-old Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, in contrast, had alumni contribution of Rs14.6 crore in the academic year 2009-10 alone.
More than 150 years old but an alumni fund of only
Rs70,000. Mumbai University has a lot of catching up to do as far as building a bond with its former students goes. The 52-year-old Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, in contrast, had alumni contribution of Rs14.6 crore in the academic year 2009-10 alone.
For an institute with illustrious former students like industrialist Mukesh Ambani, scientists Anil Kakodkar and RA Mashelkar and political bigwig LK Advani, Mumbai University has been singularly unsuccessful at cultivating alumni involvement. Universities abroad have turned contributions from former students into a significant source of funding.
The efforts from the university have been lackadaisical at best. It has never been proactive in garnering support or feedback of the alumni. To make matters worse, it does not even have a proper alumni cell.
It was only in 2006-07, during its 150th year celebrations, that the university called upon its alumni to contribute towards a fund meant for the institute’s betterment. IIT Bombay, on the other hand, considers its alumni as one of its strengths and is very focussed in alumni networking.
The IIT Bombay Alumni Association (IITBAA) and IIT Bombay Heritage Fund have played a big role in setting up a global network of alumni and ensuring they stay connected with the alma mater.
“The bigger donations have been used for constructing buildings, hostels, labs and for funding several other activities,” said Damayanti Bhattacharya, chief operating officer, IITBAA.
“Each batch contributes in a big way each year while getting together to celebrate its silver jubilee reunion. Alumni give back to the institute through the ‘legacy project’. Significant among them is the “young faculty fund — project signing bonus — launched by the 1982 batch to give a sign-on bonus to newly-hired faculty,” said Bakul Desai, member of the fund raising team, IITBAA. More recently, over 70% of the graduating class of 2010 pledged one per cent of their annual salary to IIT Bombay.
Taking a cue from such institutes, Mumbai University’s new vice chancellor Rajan Welukar wants to strengthen the association with its former students.
“I appeal to the alumni to share their thoughts with us and they are most welcome to give their suggestions and contribute towards the development of the university. Through their wisdom, the university can go to the next level,” he said.
Disappointed at the apathetic attitude of the university towards alumni relations, Welukar now intends to strengthen the almost unheard of alumni association of the university. While no one heads the association or knows who its members are, it has never undertaken any activities.
“Several former students of the university have gone on to do extremely well in life, and one expected that they would help the institution that shaped their lives. Sadly, that has not happened. I hope things change soon. We don’t just want money from them, but also there suggestions,” said Welukar.He said alumni can also communicate and share their ideas with him at vc@fort.mu.ac.in.
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