The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, received an endowment of Rs 4 crore from the family of a former chairman of the board of governors.

The endowment was created in memory of A.M.M. Arunachalam of the Murugappa Group, who was the chairman of the IIIT Madras Board of Governors from 1978 to 1981.

IIT Madras was very close to Arunachalam's heart and his son M.A. Alagappan and the A.M.M. Foundation decided to make a contribution to commemorate this association.

A modern auditorium named after Arunachalam was inaugurated on the campus.

"Captains of industry and doyens of Tamil Nadu like A.M.M. Arunachalam laid a strong foundation for IIT Madras to grow into the Institution of Eminence it is today. Murugappa Group companies have been early partners of IIT Madras in several R&D projects, showing the path of industry-academia collaboration to build strong technological capabilities in the country. We value immensely this endowment in honour of our former Chairman Board of Governors A.M.M. Arunachalam and take it as an affirmation of the support we have always received from the Murugappa Group," IIT Madras director Bhaskar Ramamurthi said.

Mahesh Panchagnula, dean (alumni and corporate relations), IIT Madras, highlighted the institute's strong ties with the Murugappa Group. "IIT Madras and Murugappa Group go a long way. Beginning with Arunachalam who served as the chairman of our board, the relationship has resulted in deep collaborations that have been mutually beneficial."