Let’s discover how IIT Delhi became a hub for biological research. The story of the School of Biological Sciences begins with a vision. That vision was to transform biology education in India.
IIT Delhi is more than just an engineering school. It’s a place where different fields come together. The Kusuma School of Biological Sciences is a great example of this. Anurag, the Founding Trustee, played a vital role. He dreamt of a world-leading biological research center.
The Kusuma Trust committed £2.8 million between 2011 and 2022. The funding helped build modern labs. It supported new programs for students. IIT Delhi was set to become a research powerhouse.
Modern biology is interdisciplinary. IIT Delhi was well-positioned to lead the way. The goal was to create new programs for undergrads and postgrads. The focus was on infectious diseases and other disorders.
An Advisory Board guided the school’s development. The initial grant of £1.4 million was made in 2011. It helped the school buy equipment. It also helped recruit faculty. The grant supported student outreach.
The school laboratories officially opened in December 2012. Biology was introduced to undergraduates in 2013. Starting in 2014, 30 scholarships were awarded yearly. These scholarships supported post-graduate students researching biological sciences.
The opening of the labs was celebrated with the BioWorld Conference. The conference focused on Proteins in Disease and Disorder. By 2013, the school had 50 PhD students. Over 800 students each year have taken a foundation course in Biological Sciences since 2014.
Anurag and IITD are confident in the School’s future. It is on track to become a world-renowned research center. The Kusuma School provides an excellent platform for PhD students. Students come from diverse backgrounds. Faculty members are passionate about science. They freely share knowledge during seminars.
IIT Delhi itself has a rich history. HRH Prince Philip laid the foundation stone on January 27, 1959. The institute was inaugurated on August 21, 1961. Dr. Zakir Hussain formally opened the buildings on March 2, 1968.
Originally a college of engineering, it became IIT Delhi in 1963. It gained the power to set its own academic policies. The campus spans 320 acres and is divided into functional zones. These zones include residential areas, academic buildings, and recreational spaces.
The IIT Delhi Library System is extensive. It includes a central library and 18 departmental libraries. All students and faculty can use the library facilities. The library uses the Libsys software for management.
There are 12 hostels in total with reading rooms, games rooms, and dining halls. The grading system reflects a student’s performance. The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) was established in 1992. FITT aims to market IIT’s intellectual property.
The Industrial R&D Unit supports research activities. The Training and Placement Unit helps students find jobs. The Computer Services Centre manages computational services. A Glass Blowing Workshop is also available.
Students can join various clubs. These include the Dramatics Club, Music Club, and Sports Club. The annual cultural festival is called Rendezvous. Sports facilities are available for many activities. These include athletics, badminton, and swimming.
The Institute has an NCC unit. The NSS unit is sponsored by the Department of Sports. Student publications articulate campus life. The Student-Teacher Interaction Scheme (STIC) promotes interaction. The Institute also has a Benevolent Fund Scheme. A Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy is in place. The Board for Students Welfare (BSW) provides financial aid. The Student Counselling Service (SCS) offers support. Medical facilities are available, including a hospital with 24-hour ambulance service.