IIT Kanpur Alumnus donates USD 250,000 to start 3 Endowed Programs in Chemical Engg Dept

The three endowed programs include Om Prakash Gautam Endowed Faculty Chair, the Rajeev and Joyce Gautam Faculty Fellowship, and the Rajeev and Joyce Gautam Travel Grant

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) alumnus Dr. Rajeev Gautam has contributed USD 250,000 to establish three endowed programs in the Department of Chemical Engineering, IITK. The sum would be utilized towards the institution of an Endowed Faculty Chair, a Faculty Fellowship and a Travel Grant program for students.

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IITK, IIT Kanpur Foundation, and Dr. Gautam. The contribution comes as a major boost to enrich academics and research activities in Chemical Engineering at IITK. The endowments will provide faculty and students alike with opportunities to further excel in their respective fields.

Sharing gratitude for this gesture, Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, "We are grateful to Dr. Rajeev Gautam for his generous support to his alma mater. The institution of the Endowed Faculty Chair, Young Faculty Fellowship and Travel Grant will enrich faculty and student endeavors by facilitating more robust research efforts, recognizing young faculty talent, and providing global exposure opportunities to students. I am sure these programs will further strengthen the academic and research activities at the Chemical Engineering Department by empowering emerging researchers.”

The 3 Endowed Programs

The endowed programs supported under the donation, namely Om Prakash Gautam Endowed Faculty Chair, the Rajeev and Joyce Gautam Faculty Fellowship, and the Rajeev and Joyce Gautam Travel Grant for students, reflect Dr. Gautam’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in the field of Chemical Engineering.

Dr. Rajeev Gautam, commenting on the significance of the endowed programs, stated, "It brings me immense pride to be able to give back to my alma mater in whichever possible ways to promote research and academic excellence. The Department of Chemical Engineering provided me with resources to set a strong technical foundation for my professional journey and success. I hope that the endowed programs empower the next generation of changemakers in the field of Chemical Engineering.”

Graduating in Chemical Engineering from IITK in 1974, Dr. Gautam went on to make a mark in the field while pioneering creative solutions to meet industry demands. He has played a key role in the creation and introduction of various catalytic and separations applications for the refining, petrochemical, and gas processing sectors. Spanning a four-decade-long stint with Honeywell, Dr. Gautam retired as President Emeritus, Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies. Recognizing his extensive work in the field, IIT Kanpur honored Dr. Gautam with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020.

Expressing gratitude to Dr. Gautam, Prof. Kantesh Balani, Dean of Resources and Alumni, IIT Kanpur, said, "We sincerely appreciate Dr. Rajeev Gautam's vision and generosity in instituting these endowed programs that would strengthen IIT Kanpur's research excellence in Chemical Engineering. Such strong support from our alumni community strengthens our efforts to provide transformative learning experiences. We are confident this will have a lasting impact in empowering students and faculty to push boundaries and attain new heights."