IITM AA has launched ‘Mission Million Smiles’ initiative to create a positive impact on the lives of at least one million people in India and the rest of the world in two years. The Association seeks to channelize the energy, resources and commitment of its alumni in achieving this objective.

IITM AA Mission

IITM AA (IIT Madras Alumni Association) has another key initiative and it is Mission 5000 Ignited Minds’ which aims to get to get 10 per cent of the alumni as committed volunteers for its initiatives.

It is interesting to note that IITM AA has a total of 53,825 members, including 22,179 Under Graduates and 31,646 Post Graduates.

Key objectives
IITM AA president Krishnan Narayanan highlighted the key objectives behind the new mission. ‘We are inspired by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat address last year on the importance of alumni associations to the nation.’

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IITM AA president further said IITM AA ecosystem, comprising over 50,000 alumni, students and faculty, has the potential, knowledge and skills, and resources to become a powerful change agent.

‘It is important for us to give back to India, and to our local communities. I urge our alumni to take the Mission Million Smiles Pledge at www.iitmaa.org.’

Initiatives
The societal impact initiatives of IITM AA will focus on areas such as Science, Technology and Innovation interventions for the nation, mentoring students, water and sustainability, and Women in STEM.

It is interesting to note that the initiatives at IITM AA are driven by the new team of office bearers who took charge on 14 August 2021. The office bearers are:

Ø Mr. Krishnan Narayanan, President (Alumni, Class of 1996)

Ø Ms. Jeyappria Dhevi, Vice President (Alumni, Class of 2005)

Ø Ms. Shyamala Rajaram, Secretary (Alumni, Class of 1995)

Ø Mr. Ramachandran Narayanan, Treasurer (Alumni, Class of 1980)

Ø Mr. Gopakumar V T, Joint Secretary – India (Alumni, Class of 2005)

Ø Mr. Gokul Bala, Joint Secretary – Overseas (Alumni, Class of 2012)

Ø Mr. Yadav Sankaran, Executive Committee Member (Alumni, Class of 1976)

Ø Mr. Prasad T L, Executive Committee Member (Alumni, Class of 1987)

Ø Ms. Latha Venkitachalam, Executive Director, Office of the IITM AA

New initiatives
IITM AA secretary Shyamala Rajaram highlighted about the unique aspects of new initiatives of IITM AA.

‘The three pillars of focus for IIT Madras Alumni Association are Community Spirit, Thought Leadership, and Societal Impact.’

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We will be working with our alumni located across the world – through our 7 chapters in India, and multiple chapters in the United States, Singapore, and Europe – to kindle community spirit and deliver societal impact, said Shyamala Rajaram.

Coming two years
IIT Madras Alumni Association has planned couple of activities which would be taken up in the coming two years. The initiatives are:

Ø Conduct the ‘I For IITM’ event in a hybrid mode, involving more than 5,000 alumni across 125 cities in 15 countries to celebrate the Foundation Day of IIT Madras.

Ø Under our “Guru Talks” and “Engineering Simplified” series, the IIT Madras faculty will create short, engaging lectures on cutting-edge research and technologies like AI, quantum computing and extra-terrestrial manufacturing.

Ø IITM AA’s ‘Thought Leaders Council’ brings together 12 eminent alumni from across the world to an interdisciplinary forum that will identify a few STI big-bets for India.

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Ø Implement the ‘Impact4Bharat’ alumni engagement model for societal impact projects.

Ø Sangam, the flagship event, will be themed this year on ‘Restoring Balance – Women in Leadership and STEM.’ IITM AA is anchoring the chapter for Society of Women Engineers in South India and will champion the causes of 1) Inspiring girl-child and women-students in STEM and 2) Women in leadership and entrepreneurship.

About IITM AA
IIT Madras Alumni Association was founded in 1964, represents over 50,000 alumni of IIT Madras across the world. IITM AA is registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Act 1975, Chennai.

IITM AA’s missions are – 1) Mission 5000 Ignited Minds (of bringing 10% of alumni as committed volunteers) and 2) Mission Million Smiles (of creating positive impact/ inspiration in the lives of at least a million people in India/world)

The three pillars of focus for IITM AA are – 1) kindle Community Spirit – Nurture the relationship with alumni, students, faculty, and alma-mater. And be helpful in their professional lives.

2) provide Thought Leadership – Create a platform for informed dialogue and thought-leadership in the areas of science, technology and innovation (STI).

3) deliver Societal Impact – Facilitate a platform for the alumni to deliver societal impact through participation in social transformation initiatives.

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Pooja Singh

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