The school 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.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras announced an endowment of Rs. 110 crore by Sunil Wadhwani towards setting up the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, as per the official announcement from the institute.
A distinguished alumnus of IIT Madras and the Co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital, Mr. Wadhwani’s gift is one of the largest gifts given by an alumnus to create a School at an educational institution in India.
As per the institute, the MoU was signed today between Sunil Wadhwani and 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.
“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 sponsored this School with a generous donation through their foundation, which is close to Rs. 110 crore,” V. Kamakoti, director, IIT Madras, said.
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.
Commenting on the occasion, Sunil Wadhwani said, “AI and social impact are close to my heart, and it’s my honour 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.”
Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI will offer the following courses:
– BTech programme in AI and Data Analytics
– MTech programme in Data Science and AI
– MS & PhD Programmes in Data Science and AI
– Joint MSc in Data Science and AI with the University of Birmingham, UK
– International Interdisciplinary Masters Programme in Data Science
– Interdisciplinary Dual Degree in Data Science
– Web-enabled MTech in Industrial AI
As per the institute, the admissions will commence in July 2024. The school will also run a Joint MSc in Data Science and AI with the University of Birmingham, U.K., admitting 30 students and an International Interdisciplinary Masters Programme.
Original News Link
https://www.iitm.ac.in/happenings/press-releases-and-coverages/iit-madras-receives-endowment-rs-110-crore-sunil-wadhwani
