BITS Pilani gets $1 million scholarship endowment for women students from alumnus

BITS Pilani: The scholarship will be administered under BITS Pilani’s existing scholarship framework, following transparent selection criteria, and will be available from the academic year 2026–27.

BITS Pilani has received a $1 million scholarship endowment to support meritorious and financially deserving female students. The contribution from alumnus Mahesh Samdani (1986 batch) and his wife, Purva Ladha, will establish the Smt Kaushaliya Devi Samdani Scholarship Endowment at the institute.

Mahesh Samdani, who currently serves as Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase in New York, instituted the merit-cum-need scholarships in memory of his mother, Kaushaliya Devi Samdani. The endowment aims to help talented women from diverse backgrounds pursue higher education at BITS Pilani without financial constraints.

Samdani has maintained a long-standing association with his alma mater, contributing to student placements, the Practice School programme, and management education initiatives through regular interactions and talks.

Welcoming the contribution, Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, said the endowment reflects the enduring bond between alumni and the institution. “By setting up this scholarship, Mahesh Samdani is creating a legacy that will open doors for countless deserving students to access world-class education at BITS Pilani,” he said.

Commenting on the initiative, Mahesh Samdani said the family believes education has a multiplier effect. “Educating one student uplifts an entire family. Through these scholarships, we hope to remove financial barriers and help shape opportunities for young women,” he said.

The scholarships will be awarded annually to female students who demonstrate strong academic performance, along with significant financial need, according to a statement from the institute. They will be administered under BITS Pilani’s existing scholarship framework, following transparent selection criteria, and will be available from the academic year 2026–27.

Prof Arya Kumar, Dean of Alumni Relations, noted that such initiatives play a crucial role in increasing women’s participation in higher education. “Empowering young women through education contributes directly to gender equality and leadership across sectors,” he said.

The endowment also adds to BITS Pilani’s broader $100 million Endowment Fund, which supports faculty excellence, research expansion, student scholarships, and global engagement as part of the institute’s long-term goal of becoming a globally ranked institution.