New facility offers conducive environment that will empower research scholars to excel
India CSR News Network
PUNE: Continuing its decades-old commitment to philanthropy, Bajaj Auto today signed a MoU with Pune-based Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). This is the first of its kind corporate donation to a government research institution in India and involves the entire funding of Rs 50 crore for the construction of a women’s hostel at the Pashan campus of IISER.
The new facility with modern amenities will greatly benefit the increasing number of women research scholars in IISER. In a way, it will also contribute to the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao initiative of Government of India, since higher education is an effective tool for women empowerment.
Rationale behind women’s hostel
Women students and research scholars account for nearly 40% of the total academic strength at IISER. At present, the institute lacks an independent residential facility for women. The new facility will provide comfortable and secured accommodation, enabling higher enrolment of women.
Rahul Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Bajaj Group believes in giving back to the society through monetary contributions and direct interventions as a part of its wide ranging philanthropic activities. This latest development is indeed a great opportunity for Bajaj Group to contribute to nation building through higher education.”
Nature of facilities
The proposed hostel would be a 10-floor building with a total plinth area of 20,867 sq metres that can accommodate up to 800 students. The RCC framed earthquake resistant construction will consist of two wings, viz. Wing-A with 28 single occupancy rooms of 150 sq feet each per floor and Wing-B with 22 double occupancy rooms of 170 sq feet each per floor.
The ground floor will have visitors’ rooms, accommodation for hostel warden, 16 single occupancy rooms and 13 double occupancy rooms. The total number of single occupancy rooms would be 296 and double occupancy rooms would be 233. The building would be equipped with solar water heating.
Expressing his views, renowned scientist, Dr R A Mashelkar said, “India is fortunate that corporates like Bajaj Auto have always come forward for the cause of education and research. We appreciate this latest and one of its kind gesture on part of Bajaj Auto that will go a long way in furthering the cause of research.” Also present on the occasion were Prof K N Ganesh, Director, IISER; Col G Raja Sekhar, Registrar, IISER and C P Tripathi, Chairman, Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha (JBGVS).
CSR at Bajaj Auto
Bajaj Auto, the leading manufacturer of motorized two-wheelers and three-wheelers in India, takes an equally big leadership position in the sphere of corporate social responsibility. Through JBGVS and other NGOs and trusts, it reaches out to underprivileged sections of the society in the areas of education, healthcare, environment and social and economic development.
The Bajaj Group as a whole spends about Rs 270 crore per annum on CSR. Earlier, it had made similar donations to private educational institutions, viz. Rs 20 crore to Delhi-based Ashoka University, Rs 30 crore to Hyderabad-based Indian School of Business and Rs 4.5 crore to College of Engineering, Pune (COEP).
IISER Pune, set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2006, offers science education of highest quality at under-graduate, post-graduate and doctoral (PhD) levels. This institute of national importance employs a concept-based and inquiry-driven model of education in an interdisciplinary research ambience and is considered best amongst its peers.
