- Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon transforms gratitude into legacy with landmark endowment
- India’s first AI school embedded in a management institute takes shape at IIM Ahmedabad
- Union Education Minister hails alumni philanthropy as pillar of India’s AI leadership
- School to blend technology, management and public good with global outlook
- A powerful reminder that giving back is the highest form of institution-building
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JAN 29
In a stirring testament to the art of giving back to one’s alma mater, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) on Wednesday exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon, alumna of the PGP Class of 1975, and her husband Ranjan Tandon, to establish the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence—a first-of-its-kind initiative within a management institute in India.
The MoU exchange took place in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, in New Delhi, while Ambassador Vinay Kwatra joined virtually from the United States. The School will be founded through a generous endowment of ₹100 crore, marking one of the most significant alumni-led philanthropic contributions in Indian management education.
Expressing his delight at the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “I am happy to witness the exchange of the MoU for setting up the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence at IIM Ahmedabad. This MoU, in the lead-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, reflects the concrete actions Bharat is taking to emerge as a global AI superpower.”
He added that artificial intelligence would be a defining force in shaping the future.
“AI will be an enabler for powering people, progress, and planet. India’s AI leadership will not only be shaped by technology, but by the strength of our institutions and human capital.”
Commending the philanthropic spirit behind the initiative, Pradhan said the contribution by Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon “sets and strengthens a fine tradition of alumni giving back to their alma mater.” He noted that the new School would play a vital role in boosting India’s AI capabilities, democratising AI, creating global AI jobs from India, and harnessing technology for social good, in line with the national vision.
Designed as a pioneering School of Artificial Intelligence within a management ecosystem, the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI will operate at the intersection of technology, management, governance, and public impact. With a strong global orientation, it will focus on applying AI responsibly to solve India’s complex and large-scale challenges.
Anchored in IIMA’s legacy of leadership, governance, and institution-building, the School aims to influence how artificial intelligence is developed, deployed, and governed, creating enduring value for business and society. It will serve as a natural extension of IIMA’s mission to shape the future of management education in an AI-driven world.
Envisioned as a hub for business-focused and translational AI, the School will bring together world-class faculty, industry leaders, policymakers, and global partners. Its research will be application-led and case-based, translating cutting-edge AI advances into deployable solutions, frameworks, and scalable systems that enhance decision-making, productivity, and societal outcomes.
Present at the event were Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Vineet Joshi; Director, IIMA, Prof. Bharat Bhasker; Joint Secretary, Higher Education, Purnendu Banerjee, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Education and IIMA.
Reflecting on the significance of the initiative, Prof. Bharat Bhasker said, “The world is at an unprecedented inflection point where data and artificial intelligence are reshaping how businesses think, decide, and grow. At IIM Ahmedabad, we are committed to building leaders who can harness these technologies to drive innovation and create impact.”
He added, “We are grateful to Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon for their generous contribution, which reflects their deep commitment to advancing education and the responsible application of artificial intelligence for societal good. The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI will set a global benchmark for management-anchored AI research aligned with real-world impact.”
Sharing her deeply personal motivation, Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon said, “It is an honour and privilege to be able to contribute to my beloved alma mater, IIMA, in such a pivotal area—one that I believe will redefine business and society in the years to come.”
She added, “I hope the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence will allow us to train a new generation of far-thinking visionary leaders and help India address some of the most significant needs using the best technology and minds. Many of these lessons and learning will also be relevant to the world. It promises to be an exciting journey ahead.”
A distinguished business leader, philanthropist, and globally acclaimed musician, Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon’s life journey—from IIMA classrooms to global boardrooms—now comes full circle, reinforcing a powerful message: the true measure of education lies not just in what it gives us, but in what we give back.
