BITS Pilani has received a large donation of USD 1 million from its former student, Brij Bhushan . This amount, which is approximately Rs 8.3 crore in Indian currency, will greatly support students and new ideas at the institute. The money will specifically help female students and encourage the development of innovative solutions to real-world problems. It will also provide aid to talented students who come from financially challenged backgrounds.
Who is Brij Bhushan?
Brij Bhushan is an alumnus of BITS Pilani. He belonged to the institute's first batch from 1960 . After his studies, he moved to the United States. There, he worked for 24 years in the telecommunications industry. In 1987 , he started his own company, Reston Consulting Group (RCG) . RCG provides services like network operations, cybersecurity, and IT support to government and business clients in the US.
How the Donation Will Help Students and Innovation
The USD 1 million donation from Brij Bhushan will have an important impact on BITS Pilani. The funds will be used in two main ways:
- Support for Female Students: A key part of the donation is to help more female students study at BITS Pilani. This support aims to encourage women in technical fields.
- Boosting Innovation and Problem-Solving: The money will also fund projects where students and faculty work together. They will aim to create new solutions for different challenges in the real world. This helps students learn to research and apply their knowledge.
The donation will also help talented students from low-income backgrounds . This ensures that money problems do not stop bright students from getting a good education at BITS Pilani. It also supports students who come up with new ideas to solve tough problems.
A History of Giving Back
This recent donation is not the first time Brij Bhushan and his family have helped BITS Pilani. Their connection with the institute is long:
- Previous Scholarships: In 2009 , **Brij Bhushan** and his wife, **Champa Bhushan**, started two MCN scholarships at BITS Pilani. These scholarships are still helping students today.
- Champa Bhushan's Background: **Champa Bhushan** is also an alumna of BITS Pilani. She completed her Master’s in Electrical Engineering in 1966 .
- Active Alumni: Both **Brij** and **Champa Bhushan** have been very active in the BITS alumni community in Washington D.C. since the 1980s .
- Teaching on Campus: After **Brij Bhushan** retired from RCG, the couple returned to the BITS Pilani campus in 2006 . They taught there for one semester, sharing their knowledge with students.
Leaders Express Gratitude
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, the Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, thanked the Bhushans for their donation. He said that Brij Bhushan and Champa Bhushan have always been true well-wishers of the institute. He noted their dedication, which includes giving money and also sharing their knowledge by teaching. Prof. Rao stated that BITS Pilani is deeply moved by their strong belief in the institute's mission and values.
Brij Bhushan also spoke about why he made the donation. He said that when he left Pilani to study abroad, he always dreamed of helping BITS Pilani grow and support its students. He feels that with this USD 1 million donation, he has now achieved that lifelong dream.
This donation shows the strong bond between BITS Pilani and its former students. It will create more opportunities for students, especially women and those from less privileged families. It will also help promote new ideas and solutions within BITS Pilani for many years to come.
