Advancing the Tata Trusts’ commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage through the restoration and upgradation of this historic landmark for future generations.
Mumbai, December 3, 2025: The Tata Trusts signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Mumbai today to restore and upgrade the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Convocation Hall, a Grade-1 heritage building on the University’s historic Fort campus. The signing ceremony was held in Mumbai, in the presence of Mr. Siddharth Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tata Trusts, Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra D. Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor (VC), University of Mumbai, Ms. Abha Narain Lambah, Principal Architect, Abha Narain Lambah Associates and other senior officials.
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| From left to right: Dr. Ajay Bhamare (Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai), Dr. Prasad Mahadeo Karande (Registrar, Mumbai University), Ms. Abha Narain Lambah (Principal Architect, Abha Narain Lambah Associates), Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra D. Kulkarni (Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai), Mr. Siddharth Sharma (Chief Executive Officer, Tata Trusts), Ms. Rukshana Savaksha (Secretary & Chief Financial Officer, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust), Mr. J Sankareswaran (Head, Infrastructure Projects, Tata Trusts), Mr. Neeraj Acharya (Head, Supply Chain Management, Tata Trusts), Mr. Madhusudan Rao (Lead, Infrastructure, Tata Trusts). |
Established in 1857, the University of Mumbai ranks among India’s oldest centres of higher learning. Its iconic Fort campus is home to celebrated Neo-Gothic landmarks, including the Rajabai Clock Tower, the University Library, and the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Convocation Hall. Completed in 1874 through the generous donation of Sir Cowasji Jehangir, the Hall has long been a symbol of academic tradition and civic pride.
In 2006, nearly 130 years after its completion, the Hall underwent major restoration supported by the Government of Maharashtra, Jamsetji Tata Trust, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Heritage Conservation Society. The project, then executed by Abha Narain Lambah Associates, a leading conservation architecture firm, earned the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction for cultural heritage conservation.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, said, “Supporting institutions of excellence has been at the heart of the Tata Trusts' work since our inception, and preserving this iconic building honors both our longstanding commitment and the city's remarkable academic legacy. The Convocation Hall stands as a testament to Mumbai's educational and architectural heritage. We are pleased to collaborate with the University of Mumbai in preserving this heritage for future generations, restoring its historic grandeur while ensuring it remains a vibrant space that meets the needs of a modern university.”
Reflecting on the significance of this partnership, Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra D. Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai, said, “We, at Mumbai University, deeply appreciate the noble gesture of the Tata Trusts for offering to support the restoration and upgradation of Sir Cowasji Jehangir Convocation Hall. Their generous contribution will help ensure that this heritage building continues to stand in its full glory, preserved, functional, and meaningful for future generations of students, scholars, citizens, and visitors from across India and around the world.”
Building upon this legacy, the partnership seeks to preserve the Hall’s architectural heritage while upgrading it for contemporary use. Abha Narain Lambah Associates will lead the work, blending best practices in built heritage conservation with modern infrastructure enhancements.
Ms. Abha Narain Lambah, Principal Architect, Abha Narain Lambah Associates, said, “Having restored this magnificent building 20 years ago it is an honour and privilege to work on the conservation of this historic Victorian Neo-Gothic gem once again. I am grateful to the Tata Trusts to have supported this conservation effort, just as they had generously contributed to its restoration back in 2006.”
This collaboration ensures the building retains its historic essence while meeting evolving academic and cultural needs.
Together, the Tata Trusts and the University of Mumbai are renewing a landmark that embodies the city’s rich history and its aspirations for the future.
Established in 1892, the Tata Trusts are India’s oldest and amongst Asia's largest philanthropic institutions. They have played a pioneering role in bringing about an enduring difference in the lives of the communities they serve, advancing equity, resilience, and shared progress. Inspired by the vision of the Founder Jamsetji Tata and guided by a legacy of proactive philanthropy, the Tata Trusts work to catalyse systemic and sustainable change across diverse areas by building institutions, strengthening public systems, and accelerating socio-economic development in a wide variety of areas- healthcare; nutrition; education; water, sanitation and hygiene; urban and rural livelihoods, amongst others. The Trusts build meaningful solutions, bridging tradition and innovation, through collaborations that nurture grassroots efforts, empower change makers, and touch lives across India.
For more information please visit: www.tatatrusts.org
The University of Mumbai, established on July 18, 1857. It is a premier and leading institution and it is one of the first three universities established in India. It has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's intellectual, cultural, and scientific landscape. It operates from five campuses and caters to more than 800000 students from rural, tribal, hilly and metropolitan regions covering seven districts such as Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Sindhudurg, and Palghar in the Maharashtra State of India. The University has 885 affiliated colleges and 56 teaching departments. It offers 405 academic programmes out of these 183 are UG and 143 are PG and 79 are doctoral programmes. The University has Two model colleges. The University is unique in starting the Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences' in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy. The Government of India and UGC supported the National Centre of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The University has been bestowed with the prestigious A++ grade, with CGPA of 3.65 in August 2021, by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Government of India and its current CGPA being one among highest in the Universities of the Maharashtra State. It also received the Category I Status by University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi. The University of Mumbai is ranked 664 in the QS World University Rankings. In India, it holds the 54th position in the NIRF rankings. Notably, it ranks 5th globally for producing the highest number of billionaire alumni. The University of Mumbai takes immense pride in its illustrious alumni, whose extraordinary achievements have left an indelible mark on the global stage.
Website: https://mu.ac.in/
