The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI will be established which aims to rise to the top 20 AI-focused schools worldwide, focusing on Responsible AI and advising the Government on policy-making and societal impact
Our Bureau
Pittsburgh, PA
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) recently announced an endowment of Rs. 110 Crore by Sunil Wadhwani towards setting up the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI.
A distinguished alumnus of IIT Madras and the Co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital, Wadhwani’s endowment is one of the largest gifts given by an alumnus to create a School at an educational institution in India.
The MoU for the same was signed on 30th January 2024 between Sunil Wadhwani and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, in the presence of faculty, students, alumni, and researchers.
With a vision to be among the top AI-focused schools worldwide, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI also aims to advise the Government and policymakers on Data Science and AI-related policy areas. The admissions will commence in July 2024.
Highlighting the need for such a school, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras said, “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. IIT Madras has started this highly interdisciplinary school involving faculty from many departments joining hands to work on niche areas, including Responsible AI. I also express my deep gratitude to Mr. Sunil Wadhwani and his family for sponsoring this School with a generous donation through their foundation, which is close to Rs. 110 crore.”
Commenting on the occasion, Sunil Wadhwani said, “AI and social impact are close to my heart, and it’s my honor to be contributing to my alma mater. I see a strong need for a dedicated Data Science and AI school focusing on foundational and applied research in these areas. With the advancements in science and technology, India holds immense potential and can be a world leader in AI and allied sciences. As a proud alumnus, IIT Madras holds a special place in my life, and I am gratified to be associated with them in this manner.”
Over the years, Sunil Wadhwani, through his family foundation, Wadhwani Impact Trust, has been supporting social welfare, affordable healthcare, and scientific research through the Wadhwani Institute of Sustainable Healthcare (WISH Foundation) and Wadhwani Institute of Artificial Intelligence (WIAI), respectively.
As per the release, the WISH Foundation has impacted over 30 million lives across 8 states in India by making quality healthcare accessible to economically challenged people. As an independent non-profit institute, WIAI develops AI-based solutions for underserved communities in developing countries. Mr Wadhwani was named in TIME100 AI list of 2023, a list of the 100 most influential people in Artificial Intelligence across the globe.
Sunil Wadhwani is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital. Born in Delhi, India, Sunil Wadhwani obtained his B.Tech. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras in 1974 and a Master of Science in Industrial Administration from Carnegie-Mellon University at Pittsburgh in 1976. IIT Madras proudly honored this engineering entrepreneur in 1999 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Sunil is presently the Managing Partner at SWAT Capital.
