The second edition of IIT Bombay’s Annual CSR Conclave 2023 was recently held on campus based on the theme ‘Technology for Development’ towards addressing social, economic, industrial and environmental challenges in India. The event provided a platform for meaningful corporate engagement and collaboration with the Institute through the route of CSR funding. The Annual CSR Conclave has emerged as a flagship event, with attendance from over 200 corporates and CSR heads. IIT Bombay is keen to partner with corporates that are committed to making a difference through their CSR efforts.
“The fact that IIT Bombay is doing so much to reach out to the corporate sector is absolutely fantastic. It’s a great initiative. Every citizen growing up in this country needs to be aware of the issues facing the country. If students grow up conscious of these, and also of the environment and climate change, we will make better citizens. But at the same time, I feel it is a full ecosystem responsibility where the government, academia and corporate sector have to participate. That’s the only way you can get sustainable change,” said Chief Guest Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, 5F World, and Chairman of the Board, Honeywell Automation India Limited.
“The conclave brings together corporates, academicians, policymakers and social change makers together to look at different ways in which CSR can create that impact that can go towards solving some of the pressing challenges both at the rural national level as well as at the global level. IIT Bombay is currently at a tipping point where we are very good at knowing how to solve fundamental problems. While we have become very good at fundamental research over the years, we are now looking at how to make our research more relevant and impactful to the society. We currently rank among the top 50 global institutions and we have a very rich alumni base in the corporate world. Given all of these, corporate are very eager to handshake with IIT Bombay,” Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations, told The CSR Journal.
Three panel discussions at the conclave deliberated on leveraging technology for ‘Strategic National Imperatives’, ‘Industrial and Economic Development’ and ‘Last-Mile Impact’ boasting of speakers like IIT Bombay professors, company directors and foundation heads/CEOs.
At the ‘Tech Showcase’, professors and students exhibited their projects, which demonstrated the use of technology for addressing critical issues such as healthcare, education, agriculture and environmental sustainability. The exhibition provided corporate and CSR leaders with an opportunity to interact with the students and professors involved in the technology initiatives.
The conclave also hosted an exclusive award ceremony, recognising and honouring corporates who have made significant CSR contributions to IIT Bombay and collaborated with the Institute on high-impact initiatives.
