Through a generous endowment from Bajaj Auto Ltd., a hostel for women research scholars at IISER Pune was announced in 2017. The construction of this multi-storied building has now been completed and has been opened to research scholars.
The inauguration ceremony of this Hall of Residence was held today (on January 11, 2020) at the Hall premises by Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar in the presence Shri. Rahul Bajaj. Mr. Rahul Bajaj was also felicitated on this occasion.
IISER Pune Director Prof. Jayant Udgaonkar welcomed the audience and said that with this new hall of residence being ready, there is no shortage of accommodation for students on the campus. He thanked Dr. Mashelkar for his foresight and key role in facilitating the association with Bajaj Auto.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Mashelkar said that Bajaj Auto, by building a home away from home, has directly contributed to the cause of education for women. He commended the institute for completing the construction of the hostel within the stipulated time and well within the budget set out with.
IISER Tirupati Director and Founding Director of IISER Pune Prof. K.N. Ganesh recollected the early meetings and discussions that built this association with Mr. Rahul Bajaj and with Baja Auto. The amount of Rs. 50 crores that Bajaj Auto had then pledged as an endowment to IISER Pune is the biggest CSR contribution from Bajaj Auto to a single recipient till date.
Mr. Rahul Bajaj congratulated the management of IISER Pune and the CSR team of Bajaj Auto in realising this project. He added that while this adds to the infrastructure of the institute, the overarching purpose is to contribute to the cause of science and to make India proud of its achievements.
Taking the association further with IISER Pune, Mr. Rahul Bajaj announced supporting three Chair Professorships and one Distinguished Professorship at IISER Pune.
BS-MS student Devadharsini, S. and PhD student Prerona Bora, both residents of this new Hall of Residence, shared details about the hostel and expressed their appreciation to the institute and to Bajaj Auto for making this facility available on the campus.
