Ashoka University to launch Vachani School of Advanced Computing

March 12, 2026 /Posted byPrajwal EW / 0

Ashoka University has announced a philanthropic grant from Sunil Vachani, Chairman of Dixon Technologies (India) Limited, to establish the Vachani School of Advanced Computing (VSAC).

The new school will focus on computing, artificial intelligence and data science, while integrating research across disciplines such as biosciences, physical sciences, archaeology, economics and the humanities.

According to the university, the school will promote interdisciplinary research and experiential learning to address technological and societal challenges.

To lead the initiative, Ashoka University has appointed Santanu Chaudhury as the founding Dean of VSAC. Chaudhury previously served as a professor at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and as Director of Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur.

Vice-Chancellor Somak Raychaudhury said the new school will expand research in artificial intelligence while integrating insights from the social sciences and humanities to develop responsible technologies.

The Vachani School will introduce a Department of Data Science and AI, which will work alongside the university’s Department of Computer Science.

It will also house several research centres, including the Centre for Digitalisation, AI and Society, the Centre for Data Science and Analytics, the Safexpress Centre for Data, Learning and Decision Sciences, and the Koita Centre for Digital Health at Ashoka, established in collaboration with the Trivedi School of Biosciences.

The university will also launch a maker space and an innovation centre to support student-led technological projects and applied research.

Ashoka University said it will offer up to 200 merit-based scholarships for students who perform well in national examinations such as IIT-JEE, IISER, CMI, Olympiads, and CBSE and ISC board examinations.

In addition, the university will introduce a major in Computer Science and AI, alongside its existing Computer Science programmes and interdisciplinary CS+X majors.

Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Pramath Raj Sinha said the grant and the appointment of the new dean mark an important step in the university’s plans to strengthen its computing and research ecosystem.

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Ashoka University to launch Vachani School of Advanced Computing

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