Kamal Ghorui
In a significant act of giving back to his alma mater, Anant Yardi, an Indian-origin entrepreneur and graduate of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, has pledged $8 million to the institute, matching an earlier contribution and taking his total donation to approximately $16 million. The funds will support artificial intelligence research and campus infrastructure development. According to the institute, the contribution is aimed at strengthening its academic and research ecosystem while supporting ongoing expansion efforts to meet growing student and faculty needs.
Anant Yardi gives back to his alma mater IIT Delhi
A major share of the donation will go towards the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence (ScAI), an initiative established by Yardi in 2020 to advance cutting-edge research and education in emerging technologies. The school focuses on interdisciplinary work in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science, with applications across healthcare diagnostics, robotics, materials science, Industry 4.0 systems, climate and weather modelling, and intelligent transportation.The programme brings together faculty members from multiple departments, enabling collaboration across disciplines that traditionally operate in silos. The latest funding is expected to enhance computational infrastructure, support advanced research projects, and enable new academic programmes, fellowships, and industry collaborations that can translate research into real-world applications.A portion of the contribution will also support IIT Delhi’s Infrastructure Renewal and Expansion Programme. The initiative includes the development of new academic buildings, modern laboratories, student housing, and upgraded campus facilities designed to accommodate increasing enrolment and research activity. These upgrades are expected to improve both academic delivery and residential life on campus.Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, said, “We are grateful to our distinguished alumnus Mr. Anant Yardi for his visionary support towards both academic excellence and campus development. His generous donation will significantly strengthen our capabilities in artificial intelligence while also enabling us to build world-class infrastructure.”
From IIT Delhi to global entrepreneurship
Yardi graduated from IIT Delhi in 1968 before moving to the United States, where he built a career at the intersection of technology and business. He is the founder and chairman of Yardi Systems, a global provider of real estate asset and property management software used by organisations worldwide.Before founding his company, Yardi spent 14 years at Burroughs Corporation, where he worked on programming methodologies and systems development during a formative period in the computing industry. He later earned a Master of Science in Engineering from University of California Berkeley, further strengthening his technical expertise and global perspective.Reflecting on his contribution, Yardi said, “I am deeply grateful to IIT Delhi for the strong educational foundation that prepared me to tackle life’s challenges and pursue the many opportunities that came my way.”
Supporting long-term academic development
The institute said the contribution reflects continued engagement from its global alumni network and highlights the growing role of alumni in supporting higher education institutions. By directing funds towards both advanced research and infrastructure, the donation is expected to support innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and institutional development.The investment is also aligned with IIT Delhi’s broader goal of expanding its capabilities in emerging technologies while strengthening its physical infrastructure. As the institute continues to grow, such contributions are expected to play an important role in sustaining academic excellence and enabling future research and innovation.
