Presidency seeking donations from alumni and corporate houses

By next month, the varsity will have flyers distributed via students and messages on its website appealing for funds

To fulfil its ambitions despite limited financial support from the West Bengal government, a cash-crunched Presidency University is launching a campaign to seek funds from its vast network of alumni and corporate houses.

By next month the varsity will have flyers distributed through students and messages on its website appealing for funds. Faculty members, students, alumni and other friends of the institute would be asked to spread the message by word of mouth, officials said.

"We have a target to get funds of Rs 200 crore by 2017 when we celebrate our bicentenary.

We are hopeful that funds will come in because we are a unique institution having a rich heritage and good faculty," Presidency's vice-chancellor Professor Malabika Sarkar told PTI. She said they have already received generous donations of Rs 70 lakh from alumni and well-wishers.

The institution, founded in 1817, was granted full university status in 2010. Besides introducing excellent research facilities in various disciplines, the university wants to upgrade its labs, buildings and other infrastructure. The state government has contributed Rs 6 crore to its kitty.

"We all know that the government funds are limited. Rs 6 crore is like a drop in the ocean for us," Sarkar said. Recognising the urgent need for financial support, they have also set up the Presidency University Vice-Chancellor's Fund for Excellence.

All contributors in India get a 100 per cent tax relief as Presidency has already got the status of an institute of national eminence.

The university has also redesigned its earlier black and white logo to blue and white.