The UAE-based Gemini Group’s founder chairman Sudhakar Rao on Thursday announced a contribution of ₹1 crore to help set up a state-of-the-art innovation and incubation centre at his alma mater, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here.
The cheque was handed over to N.V. Ramana Rao, Director of NIT-W, on behalf of Mr. Rao by his mother Ganga Raghavendra Rao and sister Sujatha Srinivasan Rao.
A native of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Rao was in 1977-82 batch and pursued his degree in electrical engineering. He went on to set up Gemini Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the Middle East, having its presence in real estate, energy trading and wealth management sectors.
Regarded as influential Indians in the Middle East, Mr. Rao continues to support programmes on education and social welfare in both India and the Middle East nations.
Mr. Sudhakar Rao said that it was his long-cherished desire to repay to the prestigious institute that shaped his life.
He wished that the NIT authorities would use the fund to set up an innovation and incubation centre at the institute.
“It is my hope that this will empower the dreams and aspirations of the next generation of students; seed the desire for entrepreneurship and leadership in young minds and give them wings for what promises to be an exciting future,” he said.
