IIT Madras is set to become a global AI and Data Science player with an endowment of Rs. 110 Crore from Sunil Wadhwani, a distinguished alumnus and Co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital. This endowment is one of the largest gifts by an alumnus to create a school in an Indian educational institution.
The MoU between Wadhwani and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, was signed on January 30, 2024. The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI aims to be among the top 20 AI-focused schools globally, prioritising Responsible AI and contributing to government policy-making.
Prof. V. Kamakoti expressed the critical need for such a school, stating, “With the advent of Industry 4.0, wherein AI and Data Science are the main movers, the need for a school for Data Science and AI is critical.” He thanked Mr Sunil Wadhwani and his family for their generous donation, emphasising the interdisciplinary nature of the school.
Wadhwani stated, “I see a strong need for a dedicated Data Science and AI school focusing on foundational and applied research in these areas.”
The school will offer various programs, including B.Tech. in AI and Data Analytics, M.Tech. in Data Science and AI, and M.S. & PhD. Programs, Joint M.Sc. with the University of Birmingham, U.K., and an International Interdisciplinary Masters Programme. Admissions are set to commence in July 2024.
Mr. Kaviraj Nair, CEO, Office of Institutional Advancement, IIT Madras, stressed the importance of alumni contributions to research endowments, describing them as “seeds of knowledge that bear fruit for the entire world.” The Wadhwani School’s extensive interdisciplinary research will focus on healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, financial analytics, manufacturing, energy, defence, and education.
