IIT-M alumni to raise USD 1.5 million towards innovation

Hundreds of alumni from the batches of 1964-66, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1997 and 2007 celebrated the reunion day at IIT-M recently. Half the attendees came from outside India. 

Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Principal Advisor, Ministry of Railways, Government of India, and Professor, IIT-M delivered a lecture on ‘scaling electric vehicles (EV) in India. He said, “India needs to acquire leadership in EV sector and build on it quickly. The auto sector, with nearly 12.1 per cent, makes the largest contribution to the GDP. If we don’t act, this 12.1 per cent will be impacted, as EVs will be imported from abroad.”

He further added that five of the top eight auto manufacturers have made significant progress in improving efficiency. Already, around 40 start-ups are working on battery pack development to get the best out of low-cost cells. A major battery manufacturer has already tied up with IIT-M and set up R&D centre at IIT-M Research Park, from where electric batteries will be made, added Jhunjhunwala. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT-M, announced the distinguished alumni awards for the year 2018. To be given to 12 alumni members who have excelled in their respective fields of work, it will be presented during the Institute Day, to be held in April 2018.