$18 million latest gift to school by Nita and Mukesh Ambani puts their overall philanthropic giving to date well over the $600 million mark
Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited and one of the world’s most influential business magnates, has made a landmark philanthropic donation of $18 million to his alma mater, the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai.
Described as a gesture of Guru Dakshina—a traditional tribute to one’s mentor—the gift honors Ambani’s revered teacher, Professor Man Mohan Sharma, and marks the largest-ever alumni contribution to ICT.
The funds will be used to boost research capabilities, enhance infrastructure, and expand scholarships, reaffirming Ambani’s long-standing commitment to education and innovation.
This donation is more than symbolic; it represents a strategic investment in India’s next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Ambani credited Professor Sharma with shaping his scientific outlook and laying the foundation for his business.
By endowing his alma mater with $18 million, Ambani aims to catalyze world-class research in chemical engineering, materials science, and sustainable technologies.
The gift will support the construction of state-of-the-art laboratories, modernization of academic infrastructure, expansion of merit-based and need-based scholarships, and a greater ability to attract leading research talent from around the world.
While this is Ambani’s most high-profile donation in 2025, it reflects a consistent pattern of significant philanthropic activity.
Mukesh and Nita Ambani contributed approximately $49 million in 2024 through the Reliance Foundation, placing them among India’s top donors.
This brings Ambani’s confirmed philanthropic total to over $67 million in the past two years alone, supporting various sectors, including education, healthcare, rural development, sports, and the arts.
Ambani’s donation arrives at a pivotal time when Indian institutions are increasingly looking beyond government funding to achieve global competitiveness.
His gift not only strengthens ICT Mumbai’s position as a center of excellence but also sets a precedent for alumni-led institutional giving.
As Ambani remarked during the event launching Professor Sharma’s biography Divine Scientist, “This gift is not just in memory of the past—but an investment in the future.” By funding ICT’s next wave of innovation, Ambani is helping ensure the institute remains globally relevant in a knowledge-driven economy.
Mukesh Ambani’s $18 million gift is more than charity—it’s a powerful example of strategic nation-building through education. It reflects a broader ethos of meaningful influence: using wealth and leadership to spark systemic transformation.
And it sends a clear signal to other industry leaders and successful alumni that greatness is measured not only by what you build—but by what you leave behind to empower others.
The Ambani’s giving in the United States includes a landmark gift to The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York.
This gift supports exhibitions and programming focused on Indian art and culture, enabling millions of visitors to experience and learn about India’s artistic heritage.
The exact financial value of this gift has not been publicly disclosed; however, it is recognized as a major commitment by The Met, with Nita Ambani being honored for her role as a visionary benefactor and member of the museum’s International Council.
Beyond The Met, Reliance Foundation’s other high-profile U.S. partnerships—such as its $10 million commitment to the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF), a joint initiative with USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—are managed through U.S.-based organizations but are targeted at advancing women’s digital empowerment in India rather than supporting U.S.-based social programs.
This latest gift to the ICT by Nita and Mukesh Ambani puts their overall philanthropic giving to date well over the $600 million mark.