Carnegie Mellon University to build Tata Consultancy Services Hall supported by $35 million grant

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), one of the leading institutions for technical education in the United States has taken a historic step in its partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) with plans for a TCS Hall at the CMU campus in Pittsburgh. The hall will be supported by a $35 million (around Rs 225 crore) grant by TCS, which is the largest single industry donation to the university in its history. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, said “The history between the Tata Group and Pittsburgh has roots that go back more than a century. Our founder, Mr. Jamsetji Tata, came to the world’s steel-making capital in the early 20th Century to understand technologies that he would later use to launch India’s own industrial revolution. We are pleased to come full circle and launch this facility, fostering further digital technology research in driving what is the largest economic and development opportunity ever faced by mankind — the 4th Industrial Revolution.” Subra Suresh, President of CMU, said “The leadership of TCS and Tata Sons are harnessing the power of one of the world’s largest business groups to bring some of most promising new technologies to the marketplace. We believe that operating at the intersection of technology and humanity, CMU and TCS each bring extraordinary strengths to this unique partnership.” The Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf said “This is an exciting time for Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University. We are very pleased to have TCS break ground in Pittsburgh, as they join a number of cutting-edge companies which recognize the many benefits of locating in southwestern Pennsylvania. We look forward to increasing the state’s economic growth by supporting university partnerships, which create jobs and enhance communities.” The TCS Hall will house research and academic spaces where both TCS and CMU will explore next generation technologies, including artificial intelligence systems, cloud technologies, robotics and autonomous vehicles. The grant also supports TCS Presidential Scholarships and Fellowships, with the first “TCS Scholars” to be selected in 2017. The facility is planned as a 48,000-square-foot building and will be a brick and steel structure with an architecture that pays homage to the historic contributions of Pittsburgh to previous industrial revolutions. The facility will feature an innovation courtyard, an environmentally friendly and sustainable rain yard, and an area dedicated to the exploration of robotics.