IITKONNECT

Newsletter

Connecting Institute's Diaspora
Dean of Resources and Alumni Office
Vol. 5, Issue 3, December 2024

Foundation Day

IIT Kanpur marked its 65th Foundation Day and honored the achievements of its faculty and alumni. The Hon’ble Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh Ji, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. IIT Kanpur recognized 18 distinguished alumni with prestigious awards, celebrating their impactful contributions and dedication. The event highlighted IIT Kanpur’s legacy in shaping national progress and advancing global knowledge, while also acknowledging the extraordinary contributions of its alumni, faculty, students, and staff in academia and industry.

Spotlight

IT Kanpur and ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth, the CSR arm of ICICI Bank signed a MoU to work together on a Digital Health Stack project towards advancing and strengthening healthcare. The MoU was signed by Prof. Janakarajan Ramkumar Ramkumar, Acting Dean of Resources and Alumni, IIT Kanpur, and Mr. Sanjay Datta, President, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth, in the presence of senior officials of ICICI Foundation and senior professors from IIT Kanpur. Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Advisor to Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, graced the MoU ceremony virtually.

IIT Kanpur and the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) signed a MoU with the objective of strong collaboration towards enhancing the research and training capabilities in the domain of cyber security for the power grid in India. The signing and exchange ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of R&D, IIT Kanpur; Dr. Tripta Thakur, Director General of NPTI; and Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Project Director, C3iHub, IIT Kanpur.

IIT Kanpur signed an MoU with Airbus to launch the Airbus-IIT Flying Start Programme, offering scholarships to female M.Tech. students in the Aerospace Engineering department for two academic years. This initiative aims to empower women in engineering and foster a diverse talent pool for India's aviation sector. Mr. Suraj Chettri, Head of HR, Airbus India, emphasized Airbus' commitment to nurturing India's aerospace ecosystem. Prof. Amey Karkare, Dean of Resources and Alumni, IIT Kanpur, expressed gratitude for this generous support, highlighting its impact on inspiring talented young women.

IIT Kanpur signed a MOU with Citadel securities which will be a significant investment and boost to the compute power of IITK as it will be one of its kind GPU lab. The grant shall be used in support of the establishment of the Translational and Transformative Training and Investigations Lab at IIT Kanpur’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

IIT Karvaan held its third event in the USA; starting with the New Jersey where the alumni reconnected and built new bonds within the IITK community. The next stop was in Washington, D.C. where the energy continued to soar and strengthened bonds and the journey continued in Chicago filled with energy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Seattle marked the next stop on our IIT Karvaan tour in the USA, and the energy was unmatched. The Bay Area event wrapped up the USA 2024 tour with an evening full of energy, camaraderie, and forward-thinking conversations.

IIT Karvaan held its third event in Mumbai, bringing our vibrant alumni community together for a night filled with reconnecting, reminiscing, and celebrating the indomitable IIT Kanpur spirit. Mr. Shashidhar Sinha (BT/CE/1979), CEO of IPG Mediabrands India, delivered a truly inspiring and impactful keynote address. Meanwhile, the Silicon Valley of India buzzed with excitement as IIT Karvaan lit up Bengaluru with an evening that celebrated camaraderie and enduring connections. Mr. Amit Kumar Agarwal (BT/CE/2000), Co-Founder & CEO of NoBroker, whose keynote address set the stage for an engaging and memorable gatherings and the next stop was in Delhi where alumni from diverse fields reunited to share stories, exchange ideas, and relive the unforgettable moments of their alma mater.

IIT Kanpur successfully hosted Samanvay 2024, a transformative event designed to bridge the gap between industry and academia, fostering collaboration and innovation. IITK Samanvay brought together over 50 corporate leaders, researchers, and academicians. Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, provided valuable insights into the strategic vision behind the event. Dr. Ram Sewak Sharma, Chairman of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), underscored the importance of the event as a pivotal moment for fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Mr. SP Shukla, Chairman of Mahindra Agri, Mahindra EPC Irrigation, and CIE Automotive India Ltd., emphasized the importance of blurring the lines between academia and industry in today’s competitive global environment.

The Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, visited IIT Kanpur to deliver an insightful address on the transformative topic, "Role of Innovation in the Development of India." Highlighting the critical importance of innovation in shaping the nation's future, he emphasized how IIT Kanpur, a beacon of excellence, plays a pivotal role in nurturing innovative minds who are driving transformative changes across the globe. The event witnessed the gracious presence of Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh; Shri Satish Mahana, Hon'ble Speaker, U.P. Legislative Assembly; and Shri Rakesh Sachan, Hon’ble Minister for MSME, Khadi, Village Industries, Sericulture, and Textile, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director, along with the faculty, staff, and students, joined the occasion, making it a remarkable convergence of visionaries and learners.

The Outer Delhi Chapter hosted Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur Alumni Association Convention 2024 on Rising Bharat in New Delhi.The Convention witnessed the attendance of more than 500 alumni along with their families. It provided an excellent opportunity for alumni and IITK faculty to connect, collaborate, network, and celebrate the success of IITK in nation-building.The Convention also witnessed inspiring talks by Director, IIT Kanpur, Prof. Manindra Agrawal; DST Secretary, Dr. Abhay Karandikar, President, INSA Prof. Ashutosh Sharma; Founder, Chairman, KENT RO, Dr. Mahesh Gupta; Director, Sheela Foams, Mr. Rahul Gautam; Director, IIT Gandhinagar, Dr. Rajat Moona; Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan, Mr. Ranjan Chopra and Shri Durga Shanker Mishra.

IIT Kanpur signed a MoU with Steel Authority of India Limited to enhance collaboration in research, development, and consultancy studies. This MoU aims to advance their joint efforts in addressing key technological challenges within the steel industry. The MoU was signed between Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, R&D, IIT Kanpur; and Mr. Sandip Kumar Kar, Executive Director, R&D Center for Iron & Steel (RDCIS), SAIL in the presence of Shri. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt of India; Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur; Mr. Amarendu Prakash, Chairman of SAIL; Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director of IITK; Prof. Shalabh Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IITK; Prof. Kantesh Balani, Head of Materials Science and Engineering, IITK; and Prof. Jayant K. Singh, Head of Chemical Engineering, IITK.

IIT Kanpur hosted its first Distinguished Alumni Meet (DAM). This event aimed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentorship among alumni, students, and faculty. Distinguished alumni participated, sharing their experiences and expertise to inspire and support the institute's growth.

IIT Kanpur and Zynetic Electric Vehicles Charging signed an MoU to advance EV Charging technology. This collaboration is set to drive forward the innovation and deployment of advanced AC and DC fast chargers for electric vehicles, marking a significant step towards the growth of EV infrastructure in India.The MoU was signed by Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, R&D IITK, and Mr. Harshvardhan T., Founder & CEO of Zynetic, both parties will combine their strengths in research, academic exchange, and consultancy to tackle pressing challenges in EV charging technology.

IIT Kanpur Partnered with Starkenn Technologies Private Limited to Develop Cutting-Edge mmWave Antennas for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The collaborative initiative, formally signed by Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development at IIT Kanpur, and Mr. Paritosh Dagli, COO of Starkenn Technologies, will focus on the design, development, and prototyping of custom mmWave antennas, followed by comprehensive testing and real-time validation on an ADAS platform.

IIT Kanpur and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India signed MoU in New Delhi, aimed at leveraging cutting-edge technology for societal benefits. This partnership aims to foster collaboration in disseminating educational content and delivering critical alerts for disaster management and public safety using Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology.

IIT Kanpur signed a MoU with the National Health Authority (NHA)in the presence of Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra at New Delhi. Signed by Ms. L. S. Changsan, Addl. Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & CEO, NHA, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, the MoU, under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aims to revolutionize Artificial Intelligence in health research with innovative data platforms.

Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre, IIT Kanpur signed a MoU with Canara Bank with the aim to provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs, including funding, promotion and knowledge sharing. Through this collaboration, IIT Kanpur and Canara Bank will jointly organize a series of seminars, conferences, and workshops, designed to offer startups not only valuable insights into the industry landscape but also critical networking opportunities with key players.

IIT Kanpur inaugurated National Cryo-EM Facility to usher in a New Era of Structural Biology Research. The facility, established with support from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), now integrated with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), was inaugurated by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in the presence of Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur; Dr. Dipti Kakkar Thukral, Scientist G, DST_ANRF; Dr T Thangaradjou, Scientist F, DST_ANRF; and Prof. Shalabh Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Kanpur, among others.

IIT Kanpur transfers ‘Munh-Parikshak: A non-invasive Oral Cancer detection device’ to Scangenie Scientific Pvt. Ltd. to facilitate widespread adoption and commercial success. Invented by Prof. Jayant K. Singh and his team from the Department of Chemical Engineering, the device uses special lights and a camera to examine the mouth, providing instant results by analysing mouth images and categorizing them as normal, pre-cancerous, or cancerous.

IIT Kanpur transfers a technology for ‘Soil Nutrient Sensing Device’ to ScaNxt Scientific Technologies to take the Made in Bharat Innovation to global markets. Developed by Prof. Jayant K. Singh and his team from the Department of Chemical Engineering, this advanced innovative device promises to revolutionize soil nutrient monitoring with its compact design and cutting-edge features. IIT Kanpur officially signed an MoU with ScaNxt Scientific Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of this groundbreaking technology.

IIT Kanpur launched Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System, a revolutionary technology for Defense applications. This textile-based broadband Metamaterial Microwave Absorber offers near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, significantly enhancing stealth capabilities against Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging. The Anālakṣhya MSCS is the brainchild of Prof. S. Anantha Ramakrishna from Dept. of Physics; Prof. Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava from Dept. of Electrical Engineering; and Prof. Janakarajan Ramkumar from Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The unveiling event was graced by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AVSM, VM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Indian Air Force, as the Chief Guest, and Lt. Gen. Cherish Mathson, PVSM, SM, VSM, and Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, as the Guests of Honor.

The 57th Inter IIT Students Sports Meet celebrated a week of sportsmanship, unity, and excellence. IIT Bombay won the General Championship, with IIT Madras and IIT Delhi leading in Women’s and Men’s categories, respectively. Standout MVPs included Ayush Rai (Basketball Men, IIT BHU) and Muskan Jain (Basketball Women, IIT Bombay). The event, organized by IIT Kanpur’s dedicated team, featured a grand opening ceremony with Para-Badminton Champion Suhas L. Yathiraj and other dignitaries. Highlights included IIT Guwahati's triumph in the March Past, the Mashal Ignition, and cultural performances. The meet embodied fair play, camaraderie, and a commitment to excellence.

Giving Back

The Jeet Bindra PG Research Lab and Jeet Bindra Student Lounge in the Department of Chemical Engineering were inaugurated through the generous support of our distinguished alumnus, Mr. Jagjeet Singh Bindra (BT/CHE/1969). The inauguration was honored by the presence of Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, Mr. Jagjeet Singh Bindra, Prof. Jayant K. Singh, Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, Mr. Kapil Kaul, CEO, IITKDF, Prof. Amey Karkare, Dean of Resources and Alumni, Prof. Shalabh Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, and several faculty members and students. This lab marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing students with world-class resources and a collaborative environment for pioneering research and the newly designed lounge offers a vibrant and dynamic space where students can relax, collaborate, and connect.

Mr. Bhadresh Shah, Founder and Managing Director of AIA Engineering Ltd and distinguished alumnus (BT/MME/1974), formalized a generous philanthropic contribution towards the construction of a new hostel tower in Hall of Residence-16, by signing an MoU with Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director IIT Kanpur. The new hostel tower will be named in honour of Mr. Shah and AIA Engineering for making part contribution in his personal capacity. The occasion was graced by Mr. Tushar K. Chopra (BT/ME/1974), and his son Mr. Abir Chopra, along with Prof. Amey Karkare, Dean of Resources and Alumni IITK; Mr. Kapil Kaul, CEO of IIT Kanpur Development Foundation; and Mr. Rajat Sharma, Vice President- Development, IITKDF.

IIT Kanpur instituted the P.T. Narasimhan Natural Sciences Prize, to be awarded to the graduating undergraduate with the highest cumulative grade point average in any undergraduate program in the natural sciences (including the B.Tech program in Biological Sciences). The prize is named in honor of the late Prof. P.T. Narasimhan, a highly distinguished scientist and founding member of the Chemistry department at IITK and funded by a generous gift from Dr. Vik Narasimhan (MSc5/CHM/1984) and Dr. Nalini M. (MSc/CHM/1979).

With the generous support of the Class of 1970, a newly upgraded and expanded gym was unveiled at the Old Sports Complex. Featuring enhanced amenities, including dedicated facilities for women, this new addition marks a significant milestone in promoting a healthier and more inclusive IITK community.

Dr. Vikram Narasimhan (MSc5/CHM/1984), Dr. Nalini Murdter (MSc5/CHM/1979) and Dr. Nandini Narayan established Prof. P.T. Narasimhan Fund for Classical Arts. Prof. Narasimhan was a highly distinguished scientist and founding faculty of IIT Kanpur's Chemistry Department. He was also an accomplished flautist in the Carnatic tradition of Indian classical music. This fund aims to carry forward his legacy by presenting various annual concerts on the campus that feature different well-known Indian classical music and dance artists.

Mr. R.V. Rao (MT/CSE/1974) and Mrs. Satya Remala established the Satya & Rao Remala Foundation Chair in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at IIT Kanpur. This Chair was instituted under Satya and Rao Remala Foundation, USA, aims to promote research in Artiicial Intelligence (AI) in the health tech domain.

The Department of Mathematics & Statistics instituted “Prof. Pravir Dutt Excellence Award” at its department to honor the memory of Prof. Pravir Dutt established by Prof. Y. Sudhakar (BT/CHE/1980), Prof. Aparna Dhar (MSC5/MTH/1980), and Prof. Vinayak Eswaran (BT/ME/1980). This award celebrates the life and work of late Prof. Dutt, who was an alumnus of the institute and faculty at the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, IITK.This award will carry a cash prize and a certificate that will be awarded to an Undergraduate student of 4-year program in Mathematics & Scientific Computing with highest CPI.

The Kaira Karmakar Memorial Scholarship is a tribute to Kaira's exceptional talent and compassion. This scholarship is established with the generous support of the Kamal Karmakar (Karmakar Foundation) and it will assist 20 deserving students over the next 4 years, empowering them to achieve their academic dreams. It is more than just financial support - it’s a commitment to nurturing future leaders and innovators at IIT Kanpur, who will carry forward Kaira’s legacy of creativity, compassion, and excellence.

Alumni in Focus

Mr. Sanjay Malhotra (BT/CSE/1989), the current Revenue Secretary, was appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), for a tenure of three years. He is a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre.

Mr. Rakesh Gangwal (BT/ME/1975) was appointed as the Chairman of American carrier Southwest Airlines. After completing his B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1975, Mr. Gangwal also earned an MBA degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Digendranath Swain (PhD/ME/2018) was awarded the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 under the category Space Science and Technology by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. He currently works as a scientist at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, ISRO, in Kerala.

Prof. Srinivas Bettadpur (MT/AE/1985), professor at the Department of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin was recognized with the 2024 Charles A. Whitten Medal.

Mr. Atul Saxena (BT/CE/1997) was appointed as Managing Director & CEO of Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. He brings over 25 years of extensive experience in management & technical consulting, corporate finance and capital markets.

Dr. Mohit Kumar Jolly (BT/MT/BSBE/2010/2012) received the prestigious Arthur T. Winfree Prize 2024. This Prize honors a theoretician whose research has inspired significant new biology.

Prof. Rajeev Alur (BT/CSE/1987) was awarded the prestigious Knuth Prize 2024. Prof. Alur is the Zisman Family Professor at the Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Pennsylvania.

Prof. Sandhya S. Visweswariah (MSC2/CHM/1980), esteemed alumnus of IIT Kanpur became the President-elect of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) at the 26th Ordinary General Assembly.

Mr. Rahul Navin (BT/MT/CE/1990/1993), was appointed Director Enforcement Directorate, GOI.

Dr. Nilesh Pandey (PhD/EE/2022) was awarded the prestigious IEEE-EDS 2024 Early Career Award. This honor is given to recognize, promote, and support outstanding technical development in the field of Electron Devices Society, specifically for early-career researchers.

Mr. Saikat Guha (BT/EE/2002), was elevated to the Prestigious IEEE Fellow. Mr. Guha is Clark Distinguished Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Raj Singh (BT/MME/1967), Regents Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Oklahoma State University, was honored with the university’s prestigious Eminent Faculty Award.

Mr. Amit Agrawal (BT/EE/1991), was appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

Mr. Vineet Joshi (BT/ME/1989), was elevated from his position as the Chief Secretary of Manipur to head the crucial Higher Education Department.

Dr. Priyanka Golia (PhD/CSE/2023), received the ACM India Doctoral Dissertation Award for the year 2024.

Mr. Rupesh Singh (BT/CE/1991) was appointed Director (HR) at Engineers India Limited.

Dr. Debanjan Chowdhury (MSc5/PHY/2010), was honored with the endowed professorship of Joyce A. Yelencsics Rosevear ‘65 and Frederick M. Rosevear ‘64.

Ms. Abhilasha Tripathi (PhD/CE/2023), from the Environmental Engineering (Department of Civil Engineering), was honored with the 2024 FAI Award for Outstanding Doctoral Research in Fertilizer Usage.

Faculty Achievement

Prof. Ashok Kumar, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering was conferred

  • honorary doctorate in the field of technology D.Sc.(tech) by Aalto University, Finland.
  • Fellow (2024) of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) (NAMS).
  • Fellow of International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineers (IAMBE), class of 2024.
  • Fellow of the prestigious Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) - 2024.

Prof. Bushra Ateeq, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering and the Dean of International Relations was honored

  • TATA Innovation Fellowship 2023-24 by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
  • Fellow (2024) of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) (NAMS).
  • Prestigious TWAS Award in Medical & Health Sciences for "Pioneering molecular characterization of cancer and alternative therapies with significant clinical and translational potential”.

Prof. Animangsu Ghatak, Department of Chemical Engineering was elected to the


  • Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy - INSA.
  • Fellowship of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).

Prof. Siddhartha Panda, Professor (HAG), Department of Chemical Engineering was elected as a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) – 2024.

Prof. Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering, Dean of Kotal School of Sustainability, and Project Director AI CoE - Sustainable Cities was

  • Appointed as the Editor of Aerosol Science and Technology published by American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR).
  • Honored with the pestigious Alexander von Humboldt Medal 2025.

Prof. Ashoke De (MT/AE/2004), Department of Aerospace Engineering was elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Prof. Sankar Rath, Department of Chemistry was elected to the Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy - INSA.

Prof. Angshuman Karmakar, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering won the Google India Research Awards 2024 for his pioneering research on 'NIST standardization and beyond: Solving practical problems for a seamless transition to post-quantum cryptography.'

Reunions

The Class of 1964

The 60th reunion of IIT Kanpur’s pioneering Class of 1964 was a heartfelt success, filled with nostalgia, laughter, and reconnections. Alumni gathered and celebrated six decades of friendship, growth, and shared memories. The three-day reunions included engaging presentations, updates on IIT Kanpur’s latest initiatives, and a memorable gala dinner that resonated with laughter and camaraderie. Together, they celebrated the accomplishments of our classmates and remembered those who are no longer with us. The reunion was marked by joyful stories, reminiscing about campus days, and a renewed sense of pride in the remarkable journeys each alumnus has undertaken.

The Class of 1999

The Class of 1999 returned to campus to celebrate their 25th reunion, rekindling old friendships and reliving cherished memories. The milestone event was filled with joy and nostalgia as alumni reflected on their journey since graduation, sharing stories of personal and professional growth. The campus buzzed with excitement as they revisited iconic spots, engaged in lively discussions, visited their departments and connected with current students. The reunion also included heartfelt speeches, a tribute to late classmates, and a commitment to support the alma mater’s future endeavors. It was a testament to the enduring bonds and vibrant spirit.The three-day event, turned into a historic moment when the batch pledged Rs. 13.2 crore towards advancing the institute's initiatives.

Antaragni