Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has received a monumental endowment of Rs 110 crore from a distinguished alumnus Sunil Wadhwani.
The generous contribution, one of the largest gifts from an alumnus to establish a school at an educational institution in India, will facilitate the establishment of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI at IIT Madras.
Sunil Wadhwani, renowned as the Co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital, formalized the endowment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed recently with Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras. The momentous occasion was witnessed by faculty members, students, alumni, and researchers.
Expressing his gratitude, Professor V Kamakoti emphasized the critical need for such a specialized school in the current era dominated by Industry 4.0, where AI and data science play pivotal roles. "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," remarked Professor Kamakoti.
The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, with a vision to rank among the top AI-focused institutions globally, aspires not only to advance research and education in these fields but also to provide advisory services to governmental bodies and policymakers on AI-related policy matters.
"IIT Madras has initiated this highly interdisciplinary school, bringing together faculty from various departments to collaborate on niche areas, including Responsible AI. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Sunil Wadhwani and his family for sponsoring this School with a generous donation amounting to close to Rs 110 crore," stated Professor Kamakoti.
Sunil Wadhwani, through his family foundation, the Wadhwani Impact Trust, has a commendable track record of supporting social welfare, affordable healthcare, and scientific research.
Notably, the Wadhwani Institute of Sustainable Healthcare (WISH Foundation) has positively impacted over 30 million lives across eight states in India, while the Wadhwani Institute of Artificial Intelligence (WIAI) is dedicated to developing AI-based solutions for underserved communities in developing countries.
Recognized for his significant contributions, Sunil Wadhwani was honored in the TIME 100 AI list of 2023, which celebrates the most influential individuals in the field of Artificial Intelligence worldwide.
"AI and social impact are close to my heart, and it's my honor to contribute to my alma mater. I strongly advocate for a dedicated Data Science and AI school focusing on foundational and applied research in these areas," commented Sunil Wadhwani. "With advancements in science and technology, India holds immense potential and can emerge as a global leader in AI and allied sciences. IIT Madras holds a special place in my life, and I am gratified to be associated with them in this manner," he added, expressing his pride as an alumnus of the institution.
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