Kharagpur :The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) welcomed one of its most distinguished alumni, Dr Purnendu Chatterjee, Founder and Chairman of The Chatterjee Group, for a special interaction with the Institute community during its Platinum Jubilee year.
Dr Chatterjee, who graduated with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 1971 from Azad Hall, was honoured in the presence of the Institute’s leadership, faculty members, staff and students.
Welcoming him to the campus, IIT Kharagpur Director Prof Suman Chakraborty, along with Prof Rintu Banerjee, Prof Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay and Prof Puneet Kumar Patra, highlighted the importance of strong alumni engagement in shaping the institute’s global academic and research impact.
In a proud moment for the institute, Prof Chakraborty announced Dr Chatterjee’s induction into the IIT Kharagpur Alumni Hall of Fame (2026) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to global industry, research and entrepreneurship. Dr Chatterjee was felicitated by the Director for his remarkable achievements and enduring contributions to innovation and enterprise.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Chatterjee reflected on the transformative role IIT Kharagpur has played in shaping generations of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. He emphasised that the institute nurtures critical thinking, technological excellence and a strong commitment to nation-building.
During the interaction, Dr Chatterjee also proposed an ambitious ten-year strategic partnership between IIT Kharagpur and TCG CREST, aimed at advancing collaborative research and innovation.
The proposed partnership envisions joint initiatives in several frontier areas, including:
- Intelligent energy storage systems
- AI-integrated cancer and healthcare translation
- Quantum technologies
- Neuroscience research
- Sustainable food systems
The collaboration also aims to strengthen global research partnerships and create expanded innovation opportunities for students and young researchers.
Dr Chatterjee emphasised that the next phase of IIT Kharagpur’s evolution should focus on translating deep scientific knowledge into practical solutions that benefit society.
“The future lies in creating a virtuous cycle that moves from knowledge to wealth and back to knowledge,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of innovation-driven growth.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to transform gratitude into institution-building, reinforcing IIT Kharagpur’s vision of driving innovation, global collaboration and national development in the decades ahead.
