Ashoka University Announces Landmark Grant from Sunil Vachani to Launch the Vachani School of Advanced Computing

New Delhi, March 12, 2026: Ashoka University, India’s premier interdisciplinary institution for higher education and research, announced a transformative philanthropic commitment from Sunil Vachani, Chairman of Dixon Technologies (India) Limited. This landmark support marks a pivotal moment in the University’s mission to build globally competitive capabilities in science, technology, and artificial intelligence. The grant will lead to the establishment of the Vachani School of Advanced Computing (VSAC), designed to be India’s leading centre for Computing and AI - grounded in experiential learning and interdisciplinary research.
A New Paradigm for Computing and AI
The Vachani School of Advanced Computing will serve as a hub where Computer Science, AI, and Data Science intersect with Ashoka’s multidisciplinary ecosystem. Unlike traditional technical institutes, VSAC will empower researchers to explore synergies across biosciences, physical sciences, archaeology, economics, and the humanities.  "We are thrilled to partner with Ashoka University. By investing in science and interdisciplinary research, we hope to build a talent and innovation ecosystem that will serve the country for decades to come," said Sunil Vachani, Distinguished Founder and Trustee.
Leadership and Academic Expansion
In a strategic move to scale its ambitions, Ashoka University has appointed Prof. Santanu Chaudhury as the Dean of VSAC. One of India’s most distinguished scholars in computer vision and AI, Prof. Chaudhury previously served as a Professor at IIT Delhi and as the Director of IIT Jodhpur.
"The Vachani School will stretch the research frontiers in AI while incorporating the social sciences and humanities to design responsible, trustworthy systems," said Prof. Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University. "We expect our students to master the foundations of CS and Data Science while solving complex societal challenges."
Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder and Chairperson, Board of Trustees said, "Ashoka was founded on a commitment to academic excellence. The Vachani family’s support and the appointment of Prof. Santanu Chaudhury as Dean represent a massive step forward in our journey to becoming a global hub for advanced computing."
Prof. Santanu Chaudhury, Dean of VSAC said, "As AI reshapes society, there is an urgent need to balance innovation with ethics and empathy. VSAC will focus on exploring the future of computing for a 'responsible humanity,' ensuring efficiency never comes at the cost of our values."