An IIT alumnus has once again placed the spotlight not on personal success, but on giving back. This time, the story comes from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, where a former student has made one of the largest recent contributions to the institute.
Anant Yardi, a 1968-batch alumnus, has announced a donation of Rs 150 crore to his alma mater. The institute has confirmed that Rs 75 crore will be released immediately, while the remaining amount will be provided in phases.
The contribution is directed towards strengthening the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence, which was set up in 2020. The school focuses on teaching and research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. It brings together work across areas such as robotics, transport systems, and industry applications.
IIT Delhi school has over 40 faculty members working across these domains. The aim is to build capacity in emerging technologies while supporting research that can be applied in real-world systems.
Part of the donation will also be used to expand campus infrastructure. The institute plans to build new hostels and an academic block. With student numbers increasing each year, the need for additional housing and academic space has become more pressing.
The expansion is expected to ease pressure on existing facilities and improve access to classrooms and accommodation.
JOURNEY OF ANANT YARDI
Anant Yardi, President and Founder of Yardi Systems and an IIT Delhi alumnus (1968 batch), a US-based firm that develops software solutions for real estate and property management.
He began his career in programming and worked for several years at Burroughs Corporation, where he led systems development. In 1984, he created a software called “Basic Property Management” for early computers, identifying a gap in the housing market.
Over the years, he built Yardi Systems into a leading company in real estate and property management software. He is known as a pioneer in automation in the real estate sector and has received several industry honours.
Anant Yardi holds a BTech from IIT Delhi and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
The institute has seen a steady rise in alumni contributions in recent years, reflecting a broader trend across IITs. Donations are increasingly being directed towards new-age fields such as AI, clean energy, and digital technologies, alongside investments in campus development.
For IIT Delhi, the latest contribution adds momentum to its push in artificial intelligence.
As global demand for AI talent grows, institutions are working to scale both teaching and research. The Yardi School is expected to play a central role in this effort.
