Shri Abhay K. Bhushan is one of the most esteemed alumni of the institute. Credited with authoring the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and early versions of e-mail protocols, he is referred to as the Internet pioneer. He is a co-holder of 12 US patents on semiconductor drying and cleaning technologies. He has also mentored a host of start-up ventures in the USA. In 2006, IIT Kanpur conferred upon him the Distinguished Alumnus Award for excellence in entrepreneurship and his philanthropic work.
"Success is often being in the right place at the right time. However, one has to seize the opportunities both visible and latent."
Mr. Abhay Bhushan obtained his B.Tech. degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1965 following which he went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to pursue Masters in EE and a Masters in Management as well. It is there that he got involved with some path-breaking work. While serving as a member of the research staff for M.I.T.'s Project MAC from 1967 to 1974, he worked on building the first network which almost 10-15 years later branched and flowered into the internet.
In 1974, he joined the Xerox Corporation and served as a Senior Manager handling systems architecture, Xerox Network Systems standards and business development. He also initiated and managed the award-winning Environmental Leadership Program at Xerox and authored the widely acclaimed business guide to waste reduction and recycling. In 1978, he took a year-long sabbatical from the company and came to India to work in the villages. He worked in Allahabad on several grassroots programs trying to understand the issues that affected the 75% of the Indian population. The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Community Service Award for his outstanding philanthropic work.
In 1996, Mr. Bhushan co-founded Portola Communications that developed internet software for messaging systems. The company was acquired by Netscape in 1997. He also served as a co-founder and CFO of the YieldUP International Corporation, a public company engaged in the development, manufacture, and marketing of cleaning, rinsing, and drying equipment used during the manufacturing process for semiconductors and other defect sensitive substrates. In 1999, the company became a subsidiary of FSI International Inc. Today, he is actively involved in mentoring young entrepreneurs and start-up companies in the Silicon Valley.
Over the years, Mr. Bhushan has made outstanding contributions towards his alma mater and his country. He is the founding past president of Pan IIT USA and past president of IIT Kanpur Alumni Association and the IIT Kanpur Foundation. Presently, he is the Chief Financial Officer of the IITK Foundation, USA, and the coordinator for the PanIIT global committee. He also serves on the Board of the IIT Gandhinagar Foundation in the USA. He is directly involved with a few organizations working towards the betterment of the Indian society such as Indians for Collective Action, Funds for Rapid Advancement of India, India Literacy Projects, etc.
Currently, Mr. Bhushan serves as the Chairman of Asquare Inc., a leading technology consulting and staffing agency. Besides his work and philanthropic commitments, he is an active marathoner and Ironman triathlete. He has run marathons across the globe including the Victoria BC Marathon 2001, Maui Marathon 2004, Silicon Valley Marathon 2004, Big Sur Marathon 2005, Ironman 70.3 Vineman 2006 and IIT Kanpur Golden Jubilee Ultra marathon in 2010.
