Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra has made a significant commitment of Rs 500 crore to the upcoming Mahindra University in Hyderabad, marking a momentous stride towards the advancement of education. This remarkable pledge dwarfs his previous contribution of Rs 48 crore (equivalent to $10 million in 2010 valuation) to Harvard University nearly 14 years ago.
In an exclusive conversation with TOI, Mahindra expressed, “My family and I are announcing a Rs 500-crore pledge to Mahindra University, which will be spread over five years starting this year.” Emphasizing further, he clarified that this commitment is in addition to the Rs 50 crore he has pledged for the Indira Mahindra School of Education, named in honor of his mother, at the Mahindra University.
“This year, there will be a disbursal of Rs 100 crore plus Rs 50 crore, and in the ensuing four years, it will be Rs 100 crore per year,” Mahindra elaborated.
Spread across a sprawling 130-acre campus, formerly housing the Satyam R&D centre, Mahindra University has already established schools of law, management, and education, with plans underway for a School of Hospitality and a School of Liberal Arts. Anand Mahindra serves as the chancellor of MU, with Dr. Yajulu Medury serving as vice-chancellor. Alongside the five schools, the university also boasts four centers of excellence focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation, executive education, life sciences, and sustainability.
Launched in May 2020 under the vision of former Tech Mahindra vice-chairman Vineet Nayar, Mahindra University aims to nurture “future citizens for and of a better world” by fostering multidisciplinary academic education and entrepreneurial mindsets. Reflecting on his philanthropic journey, Mahindra shared that his contribution to Harvard University was a gesture of gratitude for the scholarship he received to pursue liberal arts studies, as foreign exchange was not granted for undergraduate programs at that time. Today, witnessing scholarship recipients holding their heads high as potential contributors, Mahindra feels immense pride in his alma mater’s legacy of nurturing future leaders.
Anand Mahindra’s generous pledge to Mahindra University stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to education and the empowerment of future generations, epitomizing the spirit of philanthropy and social responsibility.
