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In a remarkable display of alumni generosity and commitment to their alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has received the largest single donation in its history. Dr. Krishna Chivukula, a distinguished alumnus of IIT Madras, has gifted the institute a staggering sum of ₹228 crore, making it one of the largest donations ever made to an educational institution in India.
In a remarkable display of alumni generosity and commitment to their alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has received the largest single donation in its history. Dr. Krishna Chivukula, a distinguished alumnus of IIT Madras, has gifted the institute a staggering sum of ₹228 crore, making it one of the largest donations ever made to an educational institution in India.
The institute celebrated this historic occasion by naming an academic block after Dr. Chivukula, the ‘Krishna Chivukula Block,’ during a special event held on the campus on August 6, 2024. The event was attended by Dr. Chivukula himself, along with IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations) Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, CEO of the Office of Institutional Advancement Kaviraj Nair, as well as faculty, researchers, staff, and students.
Dr. Chivukula, who graduated from IIT Madras with an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering in 1970, has made significant contributions to the field of engineering manufacturing technology. In 1997, he brought the state-of-the-art ‘Metal Injection Molding (MIM)’ technology to India, which was still an emerging field in the United States at the time. Today, his company, INDO US MIM Tec, holds the number one position globally in MIM technology in terms of capacity and sales, with a projected turnover of nearly ₹1,000 crore.
IIT Madras recognized Dr. Chivukula’s professional excellence and contributions to the community by conferring upon him the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ in 2015. Speaking about the donation, Prof. V. Kamakoti expressed his gratitude, stating, “That our alumnus still remembers his alma mater after several decades reinforces the fact that education is the only immortal wealth that we can give to mankind. We are grateful to Krishna Chivukula for his big contribution, which will benefit several future generations of students in their pursuit of knowledge.”
Dr. Chivukula, who also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, shared his sentiments, saying, “My education at IIT Madras, in addition to being extremely memorable and enjoyable, enabled me to accomplish much in life and put me in a position whereby I can give back to the Institute a gift – one of the largest single donations to date to a university in India.”
The donation will be utilized for various purposes, including supporting international students through scholarships, establishing a research excellence grant program, launching an undergraduate fellowship program for freshers at IIT Madras, creating a Sports Scholar Program, developing the Shaastra Magazine, and maintaining the Krishna Chivukula Block.
Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula praised Dr. Chivukula’s character, stating, “Dr Chivukula is not just a successful techno-businessperson but also of an ideal alumnus. His humility and generosity will stand as exemplar characteristics for generations of alumni.” Kaviraj Nair echoed these sentiments, expressing profound gratitude for Dr. Chivukula’s extraordinary generosity and unwavering commitment to IIT Madras.
This historic donation comes at a time when IIT Madras has been actively engaged in fundraising efforts. The institute raised a record-breaking ₹513 crore during the 2023-24 financial year, a 135% increase from the previous year. IIT Madras has emerged as a national leader in ‘Tech Driven CSR,’ translating cutting-edge research into products that benefit society and the country at large, with support from alumni, donors, and corporate firms.
The number of donors contributing over ₹1 crore to IIT Madras stands at 48, comprising 16 alumni donors and 32 corporate partners. The total amount raised through alumni alone during 2023-24 was ₹367 crore, an increase of 282% compared to the previous year. These funds have been directed towards cutting-edge research across various social impact themes, infrastructure development, student scholarships, and the establishment of Chair Professorships for research in specific areas.
Dr. Krishna Chivukula’s extraordinary gift to IIT Madras not only sets a new benchmark for alumni philanthropy but also underscores the enduring bond between the institute and its graduates. This donation will undoubtedly have a transformative impact on the institute’s ability to provide world-class education, conduct groundbreaking research, and shape the future of India’s technological landscape.
