An Indian-American couple has announced a USD 100 million gift to the New York University School of Engineering in what is believed to be the largest philanthropic gift by a member of the Indian-American community. In recognition of Ms Chandrika and Mr Ranjan Tandon’s generosity and their belief in the school’s mission and promise, the school will be renamed the NYU Tandon School of Engineering.

The University has also agreed to a challenge from the donors to raise an additional, separate USD 50 million, which will be principally focused on scholarship aid, said NYU President Mr John Sexton and Mr Katepalli R. Sreenivasan, dean of the School of Engineering.

“We feel privileged to be able to participate in the transformation that is happening at NYU and at the School of Engineering,” said Ms Chandrika Tandon. “We want to give back to the city that has given us so much. Our hope is that this gift will bring many more of us together to re-invent engineering, advance New York’s efforts to become a science and tech capital, and foster the talents of young innovators, applied scientists, and entrepreneurs. “We believe this is just the beginning,” she said.