IIT BOMBAY'S TRYST WITH EXCELLENCE

Foundation Stone laying of School of Information Technology

The foundation stone of the School of Information Technology (SIT) of IIT Bombay was unveiled on 14th Dec., 1998 by Mr. Kanwal Rekhi (Alumnus, IIT Bombay) whose munificient donation of $ 2 Million has given a flying start to the project.

Kanwal Rekhi, the famous venture capitalist and formerly Director, Novell (USA) is at present involved at board level in large number of successful new ventures in US such as Cyber Media, Ambit Design, Vision Software Tools. He has plans for similar involvement in the country, he said, in his address at the function. Rekhi mentioned that India has much greater prospects of succeeding in the IT area as compared to several other countries in the region. IT industry is a god's gift to India, he said.It is best suited to India's analytical, mathematical, philosophical and free mind. Rekhi also said that the best and brightest in India & among the NRI's should be inspired not to tune out but to participate in India's development.

Eminent representatives from IT industry were present on this occasion. Shri F.C. Kohli of TCS in his message said "all of us have a life long IOU to our almamaters". He hoped that many more alumni would follow suit. Mr. Ashank Desai, CMD of Mastek who was on the IIT Senate Committee that planned the School, said the keenness of the institute family to interact with industry and the amount of dedicated efforts that he witnessed was a sure sign of the success of this new venture. Dr. Lalit Kanodia, CMD of Datamatics pointed out that IT is going to be the most important component of all future mechanisms of wealth generation. In this era of knowledge based activities, the role of the School will be far more important.Hi tech today means IT, IT can therefore be our salvation, he said.

Prof. D.B. Phatak, Head of the School, explained the objectives and the proposed activities of the School.He mentioned that in its R&D activities, the School would predominantaly work on IT applications, new technologies, management processes and IT products. The School plans to extend its DIIT programs to a large number of working professionals in the country through Distance education using the proposed high-band width internet backbone as also using conventional TV media. He outlined the School's plans to set up an IT business incubator to encourage enterpreneurs to develop new technologies and products.

Prof. M.G.K. Menon Chairman, IIT Board of governers who presided over the function stressed the importance of alumni contribution and participation in the growth of institutions such as IIT. Prof. S.P. Sukhatme Director, IIT in his welcome address stated that the Institute has moved very rapidly in establishing this  School keeping in mind the importance and relevance of IT. IIT  has a "tryst with excellence" he said, and "we are committed to give the best that we and the nation would be proud of".