Overview
Sai University conferred an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc., Honoris Causa) on Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran during its third convocation held on 19 September 2026. The citation praised him as a “technology leader and business statesman whose career exemplifies education, innovation, perseverance and ethical leadership,” recognizing his contributions from Tata Consultancy Services to the chairmanship of Tata Sons, and his leadership in digital transformation, sustainability and emerging industries.
Governing Council and Distinguished Guests
The university’s Governing Council features several Indian technology pioneers: N. R. Narayana Murthy, Padma Vibhushan and co‑founder of Infosys; T. V. Mohandas Pai, Padma Shri, Chairman of Manipal Global Education and former Infosys board member; Ashank Desai, senior executive of Mastek; and M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India. Their presence underscores Sai University’s intent to blend industry, technology, academia and public service perspectives.
Leadership and Academic Vision
Founder‑Chancellor K. V. Ramani, an early architect of India’s IT services industry who began his career at IBM in 1970, founded Future Software, co‑founded Hughes Software Systems and served as NASSCOM Chairman in the late 1990s (receiving NASSCOM’s Founder’s Award in 2015). He continues as Chairman and Managing Director of Digital Holdings Pvt. Ltd. Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Ajith Abraham is ranked among the top 0.01 % most‑cited scientists globally in engineering and computer science, with over 71,500 citations, more than 1,500 publications, and research funding exceeding US$110 million across projects in the United States, Europe and Asia. He has edited a historic artificial‑intelligence journal and founded a machine‑intelligence lab in Seattle.
AI‑First Curriculum and Campus Infrastructure
Sai University operates on a 103‑acre campus on OMR, Chennai, organized into eight schools covering Artificial Intelligence, Computing and Data Science, Law, Media Studies, Business, Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Technology. The institution follows an “AI + X” model, embedding artificial intelligence as a foundational layer across all disciplines rather than a standalone specialization. Dedicated laboratories support AI, robotics, drones, allied health sciences and psychology. The campus also houses a functional Moot Court for the School of Law and a sports complex inaugurated in March 2026.
Significance
The honorary doctorate links Chandrasekaran’s technology‑driven corporate legacy with Sai University’s mission to fuse technology, research, industry and education. His convocation address urged graduates to stay curious, pursue continuous learning and measure progress against personal benchmarks, reinforcing the university’s emphasis on navigating an AI‑shaped, rapidly evolving economic landscape.