Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Sudhir K Jain, VC, BHU:
Feb 14, 2024.
Dear Alumni and Well-wishers of BHU:
Greetings on Basant Panchami and BHU’s 109th Foundation Day!
As we celebrate the foundation day of our alma mater, we are filled with nostalgia and pride, recalling on the rich history and legacy of Banaras Hindu University. Founded on the visionary principles of Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya, BHU has evolved into more than just a center for academic excellence; it stands as a symbol of India’s cultural and educational revival. This great seat of learning, since its inception, has produced numerous distinguished leaders, scientists, doctors, engineers, and authors who have brought honour to the country.
You would agree, BHU is not just an institution; it is a beacon of hope and progress, striving to create a brighter future for generations to come. With its rich heritage and visionary ideals, BHU has served as the nurturing ground, where many of us began our journey towards personal and professional development. By instilling values like excellence, innovation, and service to society, our alma mater has profoundly influenced our lives, moulding us into the leaders and changemakers we are today. On this auspicious day, let’s relive our association with the University and pause to reflect on the important life lessons and knowledge we have acquired during our time at BHU, as well as how we can give back to our alma mater.
We are delighted to inform you that Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has taken unprecedented steps in the recent past to create an enabling environment, essential to meet global standards in higher education. We are refocusing our efforts on nurturing talent, improving research facilities, supporting students, upgrading infrastructure, and engaging with alumni like never before.
During the year, we implemented a comprehensive Leadership & Life Skills Development Initiative across the entire campus, aimed at nurturing leadership, interpersonal, and soft skills among BHU students, thereby enhancing both their professional and personal lives. Already, large number of students have reaped the benefits of its programs. Additionally, a distinct Student Well-Being program introduced this year has positively impacted the lives of the students, and 129 faculty members have undergone ‘I-Care’ workshop training to enhance their effectiveness as counselors for thousands of additional students in the times ahead.
Numerous initiatives have been implemented to enhance the academic and research environment of the university. These include schemes providing financial support for organizing and participating in academic events, incentives for research quality through support for publication and equipment use, financial assistance for professional needs, encouragement for global academic and research engagement through international travel support, reinforcement of the academic trajectory of Ph.D. scholars through the ‘Teach for BHU’ scheme, supplementing of UGC non-NET fellowship to incentivize quality research by Ph.D. scholars, and the ‘Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Internship’ offering professional exposure and enhancing employability for postgraduate pass-outs across certain disciplines. These endeavors collectively aim to improve the overall academic and research atmosphere of the university while enriching the students’ overall experience.
Utilizing the grants received under IoE scheme, a total of 800 faculty members have been granted research support amounting to over Rs 63 crores, and 110 PhD students have been able to participate in international conferences. Creation of endowed scholarships and initiation of financial aid scheme targeted students facing financial hardships, and empowered them to pursue education without barriers. In the past year, we warmly welcomed 319 new foreign students, elevating our international student community to 740, making it the largest among all public universities in India.
Many of the impactful initiatives at BHU are made feasible through the generous donations of our alumni and well-wishers to the Pratidana: Mahamana Annual Fund, initiated in 2022. Over the last two years, your contributions have facilitated the establishment of more than 200 endowed scholarships, Gold Medals and supported academic and research endeavors in specific areas.
Being one of India’s largest and oldest universities, the numerous alumni worldwide stand as BHU’s invaluable assets. Whether large or small, your contributions have a direct impact on the lives of our students, strengthen our academic and research endeavors, and bring vibrancy to community life on campus. Let us honor the legacy of our alma mater by contributing to its ever evolving and transformative journey.
Thus, we warmly invite you to making a contribution to this year’s Pratidana: Mahamana Annual Fund [Brochure Hindi/English].
All donations to BHU are 100% exempt under Section 80G of the Income Tax Rules. US contributors can also claim tax exemption by contributing to the US-based tax exempt “The BHU America Foundation”; details about the Foundation are available at https://bhuaf.org/
For donors in India and outside USA, online donations can be made at: https://bhu.ac.in/donate
For donors in USA, online donations can be made at: https://bhuaf.org/
Those considering major gifts, such as creating endowments for faculty chairs, named scholarships, centres or programs, may please contact us at donate@bhu.ac.in for additional details.
Thank you again for your support and your generous contributions to BHU’s development and success.
With best wishes, and warm regards,
Sudhir K. Jain
Vice Chancellor
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi 221005, India
Email: vc@bhu.ac.in
Phone: +91 542 2368938
Greetings on Basant Panchami and BHU’s 109th Foundation Day!
Read more
- Banaras Hindu University 1905 to 1935
- Benares Hindu University became the central institution in the movement for the establishment of Hindi as the national language
- Banaras Hindu University Inaugural Speech by Mohandas K. Gandhi-1916
