In a significant act of giving back to his alma mater, Indian-origin entrepreneur and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi graduate Anant Yardi has pledged $8 million to the institute, matching an earlier contribution and bringing his total donation to nearly $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 its ongoing expansion efforts to meet the growing student and faculty needs.
Anant Yardi returns to his alma mater IIT Delhi
A large portion of the donation will go to the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), an initiative established by Yardi in 2020 to pursue cutting-edge research and education in emerging technologies. The school focuses on interdisciplinary work in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science with applications in healthcare diagnostics, robotics, materials science, Industry 4.0 systems, climate and weather modeling and intelligent transportation.The program brings together faculty members from multiple departments, enabling collaboration across disciplines that have traditionally operated in silos. The latest funding is expected to enhance computational infrastructure, support advanced research projects, and enable new academic programs, fellowships and industry collaborations that can translate research into real-world applications.A part of the contribution will also support the infrastructure renewal and expansion program of IIT Delhi. The initiative includes the development of new academic buildings, modern laboratories, student housing and advanced campus facilities designed to accommodate growing enrollment and research activity. These upgrades are expected to improve both academic delivery and residential life on campus.Rangan Banerjee, Director, 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 create world-class infrastructure.”
From IIT Delhi to global entrepreneurship
Yardi graduated from IIT Delhi in 1968 before moving to the United States, where he pursued a career in technology and business. He is the founder and president of Yardi Systems, a global provider of real estate property and asset management software used by organizations around the world.Before founding his own company, Yardy spent 14 years at Burroughs Corporation, where he worked on programming methods and systems development during a formative period in the computing industry. He later earned a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, further strengthening his technical expertise and global perspective.Reflecting on his contribution, Yardi said, “I am extremely 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 educational development
The institute said the contribution reflects the continued engagement of 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.This investment is also aligned with IIT Delhi’s broader goal of expanding its capabilities in emerging technologies while strengthening the physical infrastructure. As the Institute continues to grow, such contributions are expected to play an important role in maintaining academic excellence and enabling future research and innovation.