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Synopsis
IIT Kanpur will set up a new Chemical Engineering Annex with a $1.15 million donation from alumnus Jagjeet Singh Bindra. The facility will support advanced research, modern labs, and innovation in emerging engineering fields.
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur) will set up a new Chemical Engineering Annex to strengthen its academic and research infrastructure. The project will be funded through a $1.15 million contribution from alumnus Jagjeet Singh Bindra.
The new facility will be named the Janice and Jagjeet Bindra Chemical Engineering Annex. It will serve as a modern hub for teaching, research, and innovation within the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Spread across 4,000 square metres, the building is designed to address growing infrastructure needs in the department. It will also expand the institute’s capacity to support advanced research and interdisciplinary learning.
The annex will include state-of-the-art laboratories, smart classrooms, faculty offices, and collaborative research spaces. These facilities are expected to improve hands-on learning and support cutting-edge research projects.
The institute said the new building will focus on emerging areas such as sustainable technologies, computational catalysis, biotechnology, and advanced materials. It will also help deepen collaboration between academia and industry partners.
By expanding its research ecosystem, IIT Kanpur aims to strengthen interdisciplinary work and encourage innovation-driven learning across departments.
Jagjeet Singh Bindra said IIT Kanpur played a key role in shaping his career and professional journey. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support the institute. “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 is one of the founding departments of IIT Kanpur and has a long history of research excellence. It has contributed significantly to scientific advancements and innovation in India over the years.
The new annex is expected to further strengthen the department’s global academic standing and enhance its ability to attract research partnerships and collaborations.
IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal welcomed the contribution and said Bindra has long supported the institute’s development efforts. He highlighted the importance of the new facility in expanding academic and research opportunities. “The establishment of this facility will create new avenues for learning, innovation and translational research in Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur”, he said.
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The institute believes the new annex will play a key role in shaping future engineers and researchers. It will also help students gain exposure to advanced tools, global research trends, and industry-relevant skills.
With growing demand for innovation in sustainable engineering and advanced materials, the facility is expected to position IIT Kanpur as a stronger player in global research networks.
The project also reflects a broader trend of alumni contributions driving infrastructure growth in top Indian institutions. Such initiatives are increasingly helping institutes upgrade facilities and stay competitive in global education and research.
Once completed, the Janice and Jagjeet Bindra Chemical Engineering Annex is expected to become a key center for innovation, collaboration, and advanced engineering research at IIT Kanpur.