The Arzoo Katiyar Memorial Fund has been created to honour the life, values, and legacy of Arzoo Katiyar - a deeply compassionate human being whose impact continues to live on through the people she touched.
Arzoo believed deeply in sincerity, intellectual honesty, hard work, and kindness. Whether in classrooms, research labs, or hostel corridors, she brought warmth, clarity, and quiet strength into every space she occupied. This fund seeks to carry that spirit forward by supporting students at IIT Kanpur, especially young researchers striving to explore, present, and contribute to the global academic community. More than a memorial, this initiative is a continuation of everything Arzoo stood for: curiosity, generosity, excellence, humility, and care for others.
Arzoo was born in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, and raised in Kanpur, where she grew up with a strong sense of discipline, empathy, integrity, and responsibility, qualities that defined her throughout her life.
She completed her B.Tech-M.Tech Dual Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 2013, and pursued a Ph.D. in Computer Science at Cornell University, where her work focused on natural language processing. She completed her doctorate in 2019, followed by a postdoctoral research position at ASAPP Inc., before joining the Penn State College of Engineering as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science in 2020.
But Arzoo was much more than her remarkable academic achievements.
She listened patiently, encouraged generously, and cared deeply. She was fiercely principled yet endlessly warm, sincere yet playful, brilliant yet profoundly humble. Her friends remember her laughter and the comfort of simply being around her. She made people feel supported, understood, and valued.
The impact she left behind continues to shape countless lives through memories, friendships, and mentorship.
One of the most transformative experiences for a student researcher is the opportunity to present their work before an international academic community - conferences open doors to new ideas, collaborations, mentorship, and confidence.
Envisioned to support deserving students at IIT Kanpur in accessing global research opportunities. Inspired by Arzoo's own academic journey and her commitment to research excellence, the grant encourages young scholars, especially women in STEM, to pursue ambitious research and engage with the global scientific community.
The grant is primarily intended to support:
Preference will be given to eligible female students at IIT Kanpur. If the grant cannot be awarded to an eligible female student in a given year, it may be opened to all eligible students, irrespective of gender or first-author status.
The fund is primarily intended to support students in presenting their research at international conferences. To facilitate this, financial assistance will be provided for:
Applications will be evaluated based on:
The Institute will constitute a selection committee to identify deserving recipients.
Note: Donations in ₹ reflect in campaign's overall progress within 1–2 days, other currencies may take 5–7 days
Standard Institute Norm: 4% of the endowment interest is utilized yearly. Excess interest is reinvested to cover inflation and future growth.
Tax Benefits: Donations are eligible for tax benefits under 80G in India. For alumni based in the US, contributions can be made through the IITK Foundation (USA), a registered 501(c)(3), making them eligible for US tax benefits. Benefits in the UK, Canada, Germany, Belgium, and Australia may also apply as per local regulations.
The memories shared here reflect the many ways Arzoo touched people's lives - through friendship, kindness, humour, sincerity, quiet strength, and unwavering support.
This gallery is a collection of moments, memories, friendships, and journeys that celebrate Arzoo's life, from IIT Kanpur and Cornell to cherished moments with friends and family.
