IIT-K to set up new chemical engineering annex with alumni contribution

Kanpur: In a major boost to its academic and research infrastructure, IIT-Kanpur will establish a new Chemical Engineering Annex with support from distinguished alumnus Jagjeet Singh Bindra, who has committed $1.15 million towards the project.

The upcoming facility, to be named the Janice and Jagjeet Bindra Chemical Engineering Annex, will serve as a state-of-the-art hub for teaching, research and innovation within the Department of Chemical Engineering. Spread across 4,000 square metres, the new building is expected to address critical infrastructure requirements and significantly enhance the department’s academic and research capabilities.

The annex will house advanced laboratories, smart classrooms, faculty offices and collaborative research spaces. It is expected to support emerging fields such as sustainable technologies, computational catalysis, biotechnology and advanced materials, while also strengthening industry-academia partnerships and interdisciplinary research.

Bindra said IIT Kanpur had provided him with an outstanding education that laid the foundation for his professional success. “It is my privilege and honour to have the opportunity to contribute in a small way so that IIT Kanpur can continue to enrich the lives of future student scholars,” he said.

The Department of Chemical Engineering, one of IIT Kanpur’s founding departments, has long been recognised for its contributions to research and innovation. The new facility is expected to further strengthen its ability to deliver quality education and expand global research collaborations.

Expressing gratitude, IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal said Bindra had been among the institute’s longstanding benefactors. “The establishment of this facility will create new avenues for learning, innovation and translational research in Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur,” he said.