Meet Anant Yardi: Indian-origin billionaire alumnus donates $8 million to IIT Delhi | World News

Anant Yardi, an Indian entrepreneur and graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, has pledged $8 million to the institution, matching previous donations, bringing his total donation to about $16 million, in a major effort to give back to his alma mater. The funds will support artificial intelligence research and campus infrastructure development. The institute said the donation is intended to strengthen its academic and research ecosystem while supporting ongoing expansion efforts to meet the needs of its growing student and faculty population.

Anant Yardi gives back to his alma mater Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

The majority of the donation will go to 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 ranging from medical diagnostics, robotics, materials science, Industry 4.0 systems, climate and weather modeling, and smart transportation.The program brings together faculty from multiple departments, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration that has traditionally been siled. The latest funding is expected to enhance computing infrastructure, support advanced research projects, and enable new academic programs, scholarships, and industry collaborations to translate research into real-world applications.Part of the donation will also support infrastructure renewal and expansion plans at IIT Delhi. The plan includes the development of new academic buildings, modern laboratories, student accommodation and upgraded campus facilities to accommodate increased enrollment and research activity. These upgrades are expected to improve academic delivery and campus residential life.Rangan Banerjee, Dean of IIT Delhi, said, “We are grateful to distinguished alumnus Mr. Anant Yardi for his visionary support for academic excellence and campus development. His generous donation will significantly enhance our capabilities in artificial intelligence while also enabling us to build world-class infrastructure.”

From Indian Institute of Technology Delhi to global entrepreneurship

Yardi graduated from IIT Delhi in 1968 and moved to the United States to pursue 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 to organizations around the world.Prior to founding the company, Yardi spent 14 years at Burroughs Corporation, developing programming methods and systems during the computing industry’s formative years. He later earned a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, further enhancing his technical expertise and global perspective.Talking about his contribution, Yardi said, “I am deeply grateful to IIT Delhi for its strong educational foundation, which prepared me to face life’s challenges and seize opportunities.”

Support long-term academic development

The institute said the donation reflects the continued engagement of its global alumni network and highlights the increasingly important role alumni play in supporting higher education institutions. The donation is expected to support innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and institutional growth by directing funds toward advanced research and infrastructure.This investment is also in line with IIT Delhi’s broader goals to expand 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 promoting future research and innovation.