Alumnus donates $2mn to IIT-BHU Foundation

VARANASI : The IIT-BHU Foundation, a US-based all volunteer, non-profit association of IIT (BHU) alumni, announced that Nikesh Arora, an IIT-BHU alumnus and CEO of cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks, has endowed the IIT-BHU Foundation with a $2 million donation.

The donation will seed the Foundation’s Access Fund, enabling scholarships for underserved students to attend the premier institute.

Incoming students will be able to apply for the scholarship awards through the Foundation’s website starting December 2021, with recipients selected based on financial need. All awards through the fund will be managed by the Scholarship Committee with Kumar Jayant (EEE ‘89) as the chair, with the dean of academic affairs and dean of resources and alumni from the institute also sitting on the committee.

According to a press statement, “IIT-BHU provides a springboard for careers in technology, and it’s an honour to help deserving students gain access to these educational opportunities,” said Arora, a 1989 Electrical and Electronics IIT (BHU) graduate.

“As alumni, we know firsthand of the school’s remarkable programmes, facilities and faculty. Together with Palo Alto Networks, I’m proud to support IIT (BHU) as it broadens access to education and prepares future leaders in critical areas of technology. I look forward to many more of us joining together in support.”

Of the $2 million donation, Arora will forgo his annual salary to contribute $1 million, with Palo Alto Networks contributing an additional $1 million. This is the second year Arora will forgo his salary to donate to philanthropic causes, following a donation to a global Covid Relief Fund in 2020.

Arun Tripathi (MEC ‘97), President of the IIT (BHU) Foundation, noted that Arora is a proud example of what an IIT-BHU alum can accomplish.

“We thank Nikesh for supporting our efforts to help deserving students attend IIT (BHU),” Tripathi said. “It was Nikesh’s wish that the Access Fund not be named for him with the hope that others will join this effort. We hope that many more alumni follow his lead.”

Director of IIT-BHU, Prof Pramod Kumar Jain and the board of governors also expressed their gratitude and recognised the significance of the endowment.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR ARORA WILL FORGO HIS SALARY TO DONATE TO PHILANTHROPIC CAUSES