IIT Kharagpur professor gifts Rs 5 lakh to IIEST for lecture fund in memory of alumnus-professor father
Times of India | 16 July 2026
Kolkata: IIT Kharagpur associate professor of computer science and technology Saptarshi Ghosh has donated Rs 5 lakh to IIEST, Shibpur, to establish a lecture in memory of his late father, Saibal Kumar Ghosh, a civil engineering professor at the institute.
The fund is aimed at enriching the research ecosystem and academic environment of IIEST and honour the life and legacy of Saibal, one of the most distinguished educators and structural engineering experts at the institute, which was also his alma mater.
Saptarshi, also an IIEST alumnus, signed an MoU with the civil engineering department in the first week of July to establish the lecture fund that will sustain the annual memorial lecture by eminent global and national experts.
Saibal joined BE College in Nov 1969 and retired in Oct 2008, following which he continued to be associated with the institute as a chair professor till Dec 2018. A double gold medallist in both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Saibal was nationally recognised for his contributions to structural engineering and complex infrastructure consultancy projects, integrity, humility and dedication to institutional growth and transformative mentorship that shaped generations of engineers. He died on Oct 24, 2025.
“My father was an IIEST alumnus who spent his entire professional career at this institute as a civil engineering professor. I want his contributions and legacy to be remembered. After discussing with the head of the civil engineering department and faculty members, we felt a memorial lecture series would be an appropriate way to honour my father’s legacy and continue with the spread of knowledge among students and the research community of IIEST,” said Saptarshi, who also earlier taught at the computer science and technology department at IIEST.
IIEST dean of international relations and alumni affairs Anirban Gupta said, “This contribution underscores the vital role that our global alumni and their families play in preserving and strengthening the rich academic heritage of IIEST, Shibpur. Such meaningful engagements not only keep the memory of our educators alive but also inspire future generations of engineers to strive for the highest standards of academic and professional excellence.”