Fellow Alumni,

We are delighted to reach out to you through this letter in a very special year when our almamater - the University of Roorkee - has crossed the 150 year landmark. As alumni of this great institution we wish to seek your involvement and support in the progress and programmes of the University and the Alumni Association.

For most part of the 150 years, Roorkee University stood out as the foremost centre of engineering education in our country. Over the past two decades, however, the University has found it increasingly difficult to retain its pre-eminent position. The resource and other constraints under which the University is now required to function has made the task of maintaining and enhancing its standing even more difficult. The University has taken several initiatives to overcome these handicaps. In this effort, the alumni of the University can play a significant role.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association held on November 24, 1997 , the alumni expressed their deep commitment and support towards the progress of the University. The general body decided to launch the following two missions for the creation of corpus funds through donations by the alumni :

* Corpus of Rs. 10.00 lacs for the regular publication and distribution of Alumni News Letter.

The Alumni Association has revived the publication of the Alumni News Letter. Last year four quarterly issues, and one special issue were published. Publication and distribution of each issue requires about Rs. 30000. To ensure that the News Letter is published regularly, and distributed to all our alumni, we need a corpus of Rs. 10.00 lacs. The News Letter plays a vital role in connecting alumni with each other, and with the University. Your contribution to the corpus will ensure its regular publication and may be sent to the Honorary Secretary , Alumni Association through a cheque/draft payable at Roorkee to : RUAA - News Letter Fund.

* Corpus of Rs. 12-15 lacs to create a Visiting Alumni Chair

University is proud of the achievements and outstanding contributions of its alumni. To enrich its academic programmes, and to reinforce its long standing traditions, the University would like to invite its distinguished alumni to visit the campus for interaction with the faculty and the students. During such visits, which may extend over a semester or a few days, the alumni may teach a course, deliver special lectures, collaborate in research and other projects, and interact with the student . At present this happens sporadically. The proposed Visiting Alumni Chair will make it possible for the University to launch and operate this initiative on a continuing basis.

The contributions to the corpus for the Visiting Alumni Chair will be eligible for 100 percent income tax deduction at the hand of the donor. The contribution may be sent to Honorary Secretary, Alumni Association through a cheque /draft payable at Roorkee to: Registrar, University of Roorkee-Alumni Chair Fund. A receipt will be issued to each donor for income tax purposes.

The Alumni Association needs your support for the above two missions, to enable it to serve the alumni, and to assist the University in its efforts to remain a foremost centre of teaching and research. We are confident of your generous response to this appeal.

with personal regards,