NRI gifts 1 million pound for engineering institute

LONDON: A new engineering institute affiliated to the London South Bank University has been launched here with one million pound gift from an NRI businessman.

Britain's Business Secretary Vince Cable yesterday launched the Nathu Puri Institute for Engineering and Enterprise, set up with a 1 million pound gift from the Indian-origin Nathu Puri.

Puri, who came to UK from India in 1960s, has been a long-standing supporter of LSBU which presented him with an honorary doctorate in 2007.

"The establishment of this Institute shows that philanthropic donations can lead to great things for a university, its students and the economy," said Vince Cable.

"This new facility gives students the means to transform their abilities in science and engineering into dynamic businesses for the future," he said.

The institute will comprise a professorial chair in engineering & management, a professorial chair in engineering & enterprise, two senior lecturers in engineering & enterprise, research and development space and other facilities.