It is the largest individual campaign donation that was made to the new engineering building at the university

The University of Waterloo has received a $25 million donation to put into its newest engineering building.

It is the largest individual campaign donation that was made to the new engineering building at the university.

The donor is best known right now for being a successful venture capitalist, a former Facebook executive and a part-owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors.

But back in 1999, Chamath Palihapitiya was a fresh grad from the University of Waterloo's electrical engineering program.

He says when he donated $25 million, he just wanted to give back to the University of Waterloo by supporting their newest engineering building.

"I met these great people, I met these great teachers, I learned so much about myself, I developed a confidence throughout my co-op terms that then allowed me to go and do some really interesting things in business."

Palihapitiya says he would not be anywhere if it were not for the University of Waterloo.

"My deepest desire is that for many students, they get some part -- if not more, of what I was able to get, which was self-confidence, resilience, access to opportunity, and the ability to believe in a bigger, bolder future and the courage to try and do something about it."

The new building will feature a laboratory space to support research in 5G and blockchain.

Students can also look forward to state-of-the-art 3D printing facilities and a robotics hub.