Who Is Dr Krishna Chivukula Who Donated Largest Single Donation of Rs. 228 Crore To IIT Madras

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has received the largest single donation in its history, amounting to Rs. 228 Crore, from its Distinguished Alumnus Awardee, Dr. Krishna Chivukula. This generous donation is one of the largest ever made to an educational institution in India.

In recognition of this monumental contribution, IIT Madras named an academic block in honor of Dr. Krishna Chivukula—the ‘Krishna Chivukula Block’. The dedication event, held on August 6, 2024, was attended by Dr. Krishna Chivukula, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), Mr. Kaviraj Nair, CEO of the Office of Institutional Advancement, along with faculty, researchers, staff, and students.

Who is Dr Krishna Chivukula
Dr Krishna Chivukula, a 1970 MTech graduate in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Madras, brought the advanced technology of Metal Injection Molding (MIM) to India in 1997. His company, INDO US MIM Tec, now holds the leading position globally in MIM technology in terms of capacity and sales, with a projected turnover of nearly Rs. 1,000 Crore. In recognition of his professional excellence and community contributions, IIT Madras awarded him the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2015.

During the press conference, Prof. V. Kamakoti expressed profound gratitude, saying, “That our alumnus still remembers his Alma Mater after several decades reinforces the fact that education is the only immortal wealth that we can give to mankind. Grateful to Shri Krishna Chivukula for his big contribution, which will benefit several future generations of students in their pursuit of knowledge.”

Dr. Krishna Chivukula, Founder and CEO of Indo-MIM, shared his motivations, stating, “My education at IIT Madras, in addition to being extremely memorable and enjoyable, enabled me to accomplish much in life and put me in a position whereby I can give back to the Institute a gift—one of the largest single donations to date to a university in India!”

This donation will be utilized for various purposes, including scholarships for international students, a Research Excellence Grant Program, an undergraduate fellowship program for freshers, a sports scholar program, the development of Shaastra Magazine, and maintenance of the Krishna Chivukula Block.

Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), lauded Dr. Chivukula’s gesture, stating, “Dr. Krishna Chivukula is not just a successful techno-businessperson but also an ideal alumnus. His humility and generosity will stand as exemplar characteristics for generations of alumni.”

The Office of Institutional Advancement, responsible for this outreach, is an initiative of the IIT Madras Alumni Charitable Trust. Mr. Kaviraj Nair, CEO of the Office of Institutional Advancement, added, “We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Krishna Chivukula, an esteemed alumnus of IIT Madras, for his extraordinary generosity and unwavering commitment to our institution. His monumental contribution, the largest ever single donation received by IIT Madras, stands as a testament to his dedication to fostering excellence in education, research, and innovation. Dr. Krishna Chivukula’s visionary support will significantly enhance our capabilities and propel IIT Madras to new heights. His contribution not only elevates our institution but also serves as an inspiring example of how our alumni community continues to drive meaningful change.”

Donor Background
Dr. Krishna Chivukula graduated with an M. Tech in Aerospace Engineering, specializing in Jet Propulsion, from IIT Madras in 1970, and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1980. He has had a distinguished career, including serving as Group President and CEO at the Hoffman Group of Companies in New York. He founded two globally leading companies: Shiva Technologies Inc. in 1990 and Indo MIM Pvt Ltd in Bengaluru.

Fundraising by IIT Madras
IIT Madras raised a record Rs. 513 Crore during 2023-24, marking a 135% increase from the previous financial year. The institution has emerged as a national leader in ‘Tech Driven CSR’, translating cutting-edge research into products that benefit society, supported by alumni, donors, and corporate firms. The total amount raised through alumni alone during 2023-24 was Rs. 367 Crore, a 282% increase from the previous year, with focus areas including research, infrastructure, scholarships, and establishing Chair Professorships.