Pune’s Bishop’s School Gets Rs 10 Crore Boost as Cyrus Poonawalla Announces Fresh Contribution

Camp, 10th June 2026: Padma Bhushan awardee and founder of the Serum Institute of India, Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla, on Wednesday credited The Bishop’s School for shaping his life and announced an additional contribution of ₹10 crore towards the institution’s future development.

Speaking at the inauguration of the school’s new academic building in Pune’s Camp area, Dr. Poonawalla said the institution had played a defining role in his personal and professional journey.

“The Bishop’s School not only gave me an education but also laid the foundation for my entire life. Whatever I am today is largely because of this institution. I take immense pride in being an alumnus of The Bishop’s School and will always be ready to support its growth and development in any way possible,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by Principal and Honorary Secretary Shane Macpherson, Bishop Education Society President Rudolph Woodman, Dr. Poonawalla’s grandson Darius Poonawalla, Headmistress Mayura Barse, members of the school management, teachers, alumni, parents and other dignitaries.

The newly inaugurated academic building has been constructed to strengthen the school’s educational infrastructure and accommodate its growing requirements. School authorities said the project was made possible through the generous support of distinguished alumnus Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and his son, Adar C. Poonawalla, whose contributions have significantly accelerated the institution’s development plans.

During the event, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Adar Poonawalla were felicitated for their support towards the construction of the new facility. They were presented with commemorative silver plaques by Rudolph Woodman and members of the governing board.

Reflecting on his years as a student, Dr. Poonawalla recalled his time at the institution between 1949 and 1958.

“Whenever I visit this school, I am flooded with memories. I studied here from 1949 to 1958, and many experiences from that time remain vivid in my mind. It is hard to believe that a student once known for mischief is standing here today as the chief guest. This new building is not merely a structure; it is a foundation for the bright future of generations of students. I consider it a privilege to have contributed to this initiative,” he said.

Principal Shane Macpherson said the school’s rich legacy of more than 160 years has been strengthened by distinguished alumni such as Dr. Poonawalla. He noted that the state-of-the-art facility had become a reality because of the Poonawalla family’s continued support and would contribute significantly to students’ academic and overall development.

Highlighting the institution’s growth, Rudolph Woodman said The Bishop’s School, established in 1864 in the Camp area, has expanded over the years to include campuses in Kalyani Nagar and Undri. More than 6,000 students are currently enrolled across the three campuses, making it one of Pune’s most respected educational institutions.

Woodman also recalled that the school had earlier honoured Dr. Poonawalla by naming a pedestrian bridge on the campus after him in recognition of his longstanding association with the institution.

In a major announcement during the event, Dr. Poonawalla pledged an additional ₹10 crore for the school’s future development initiatives.

“Constructing buildings is important, but creating facilities that contribute to the holistic development of students is equally essential. This contribution is intended to support the school’s qualitative growth and various developmental initiatives,” he said.

The announcement received a standing ovation from the audience, with students, alumni and guests applauding the philanthropist’s continued commitment to the institution that helped shape his early years.