University Alumnus to Fund New Center in India
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 2/6/2006
An India Institute of Technology Bombay alumnus has pledged to donate $3 million to build a convention center on the school's campus in Powai, India.
Victor Menezes, a 1970 electrical engineering alumnus and retired senior vice chairman of Citigroup, in December gave the first $1.5 million of the donation to the school and its IIT Bombay Heritage Fund.
The new convention center is expected to be inaugurated during IIT Bombay's 50th anniversary celebration in 2007 and 2008.
"IIT Bombay gave me a priceless education, and this is a small way to say thank you," said Menezes, who is also co-chairman of the Cupertino, Calif.-based Heritage Fund.
IIT Bombay Director Ashok Misra said Menezes' gift "will go a long way in addressing one of our key objectives, which is to build world-class infrastructure and facilities at IIT Bombay."
The center is one of several major projects being developed to accomplish this goal. School officials hope that the center will help increase research and development initiatives and help the region and country attain global leadership in science and technology.
