The IIITH Journey: A Chronological Timeline
1998
Founding Philosophy
Prof. Narendra Ahuja | Governing Council, IIIT Hyderabad
Prof. Narendra Ahuja, the first Director of the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH) who is on the Governing Council of the institute and Donald Biggar Willet Professor of Engineering, University of Illinois, USA, talks about the founding philosophy behind IIITH. He explains that IIIT was envisioned not as another technical institute producing job-seekers, but as a community dedicated to creating socially conscious problem solvers. Research was established as the institute’s guiding force, shaping its mission and ensuring innovation remained central. Additionally, a strong emphasis was placed on recruiting faculty who shared this passion and on fostering a sense of family and shared purpose among students.
Prof. Rajeev Sangal | Governing Council, IIIT Hyderabad
Prof. Rajeev Sangal, former Director of IIITH and IIT-BHU, member of Governing Council, IIITH describes how IIITH was founded with two main goals: to be a research-focused university fostering innovation and to develop socially responsible, well-rounded individuals. Its curriculum integrates research, project-based learning, and humanities to blend technical excellence with human values. Students are encouraged to connect technology with real-world societal problems, promoting both innovation and empathy. He remarks that overall, IIITH aims to produce graduates who are not just skilled technologists but also ethical leaders and creative problem-solvers.
1998–2005
Early Growth
Making of IIIT-Hyderabad - How it all Started
A look back at IIITH’s formative years and the people who shaped it. The founding fathers trace the beginnings of the IT revolution in India and narrate the vision that emerged behind the establishment of a research-oriented institution in Hyderabad that could nurture innovation and entrepreneurship. Supported by the government and visionary leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and Prof. Raj Reddy, it began with just 50 students in repurposed government buildings. The institute pioneered a flexible curriculum that encouraged undergraduate research and hands-on learning from day one. Over the years, it built specialized research centers, strong industry connections, and a vibrant campus culture. Despite early challenges, IIITH has grown into a leading research university now with thousands of students and global recognition, staying true to its founding goal of fostering innovation and excellence in IT and engineering.
IIIT-HYDERABAD - An Overview
A short film on programs, campus culture, and student life.
What began in 1998 as a vision to promote research and innovation in information technology has over the decades evolved into one of India’s top research universities by embodying the values of conviction, persistence and perseverance. Built around interdisciplinary research centers instead of traditional departments, IIITH promotes collaboration in areas like AI, robotics, data science, and cognitive science. Early faculty recall the passion and determination of the first batch of students, whose enthusiasm and commitment to learning set the tone for the institute’s culture.
IIITH also fosters entrepreneurship through its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), which supports over 100 startups, and the Kohli Center on Intelligent Systems (KCIS), a leading AI research hub. With strong industry partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, TCS, and Qualcomm, a vibrant campus life, and outreach programs like STEP for school students, the institute combines academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity – producing passionate, skilled technologists driven to make a difference in society.
2005-2015
Expanding Horizons
IIIT Hyderabad | Blazing New Trails
With research lying at the core of IIITH, there are research centers rather than departments, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across computing, electronics, architecture, and other fields. Faculty describe the integration of hardware, software, and real-world problem-solving, with programs like electronics and communication engineering, computational sciences, robotics, and computational linguistics emphasizing hands-on design and research from the undergraduate level. Students work on projects in AI, machine learning, 3D modeling, VLSI design, and digital humanities, often publishing in leading international conferences.
The institute also values social and humanistic education, aiming to develop graduates who are competent, creative, and caring – technologically skilled, innovative thinkers who are conscious of their responsibility to society. IIITH’s ultimate goal is to produce leaders who advance both technology and humanity through knowledge, ethics, and impact.
Research Facilities at IIITH
Here’s an in-depth look at IIITH’s Electronics and Communication (EC) and Computer Science (CSE) programs, highlighting the institute’s strong research culture, hands-on learning approach, and interdisciplinary structure.
Students describe a vibrant research environment with state-of-the-art labs where both theoretical and experimental work are conducted, leading to top-tier publications, patents, and products. The EC curriculum builds core competencies in the first four semesters and offers specialization in areas like signal processing, communication, and image/speech processing in later years. Students gain hands-on experience through projects, workshops, and research collaborations. The research centers that are related to EC are the Robotics Research Center – focusing on mobile and aerial robotics, vision, and multi-robot systems, the Signal Processing & Communications Center – working on 5G, IoT, coding theory, and distributed systems, the VLSI & Embedded Systems Center – developing indigenous, low-cost electronic technologies and the Speech Processing Lab – advancing speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and audio-based biometric systems.
The Computer Science curriculum is designed to develop both strong theoretical foundations and practical problem-solving skills from the very first semester. Students begin coding and programming in their first year, which builds logical reasoning and analytical thinking early on. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning – every course includes projects and assignments that require students to apply concepts independently, encouraging a culture of self-driven exploration and research.
In the first two years, the focus is on core computer science fundamentals — programming, data structures, algorithms, discrete mathematics, computer architecture, and operating systems. Alongside these, students also take mathematics, electronics, and humanities courses to ensure a well-rounded education. From the third year onwards, students can customize their learning through a wide range of electives, allowing specialization in fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Data Science and Analytics and Robotics and Embedded Systems. The CSE program also integrates research opportunities – students can work with IIITH’s renowned research centers, publish papers in international conferences, and pursue long-term research projects.
By the final year, students are not only technically proficient but also experienced in collaborative research, innovation, and product development. This approach prepares them for both academic careers as well as industry roles.
Women Students at IIIT-H
The video highlights experiences of women students at IIITH, showcasing the institute’s inclusive environment, academic excellence, and strong support system. Female students describe the campus as safe, respectful, and gender-neutral, emphasizing that opportunities are equal for everyone. They share how faculty and peers are supportive, making it easy to adapt to hostel life and academics. The institute provides dedicated women’s hostels and actively encourages greater female participation in technical fields.
Life at IIITH is described as balanced and vibrant, with ample focus on academics, research, and extracurriculars such as sports, music, and drama. A parent concludes by expressing gratitude to the institute for enabling their daughter’s success, including internships at Google Hyderabad, a research semester at MIT (USA), and international conference opportunities – reflecting the institute’s global reach and nurturing environment for women in technology.
2016
Global Leadership
Dr. Vinton G. Cerf | Governing Council, IIIT Hyderabad
Vinton Cerf, one of the “Fathers of the Internet,” expresses his admiration for IIITH and its innovative academic model. He praises the institute for being structured around research centers rather than traditional departments, allowing interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle specific research problems effectively.
Cerf highlights IIITH’s strong focus on computing and technology, noting that these fields have become essential to modern life across the world. He commends the institution’s founders and current leadership for “blazing new trails” in higher education and research. He concludes by expressing enthusiasm for his ongoing association with the institute and his hope to continue working closely with its leadership team.
IIIT Hyderabad | Research, Academics and Innovation
What makes IIITH a distinctive and world-class institution? Vinton Cerf, Turing Award winner comments about its self-sustaining model which is efficient, research-focused and different from conventional universities. He mentions that instead of being organized into departments, the institute operates through interdisciplinary research centers that bring together faculty and students from various fields to collaborate on research that addresses specific real-world challenges.
The institute is built on three foundational pillars – research, academics, and innovation, each deeply interconnected, creating an environment where ideas developed through research directly influence teaching and lead to practical innovations. The video showcases several faculty and student research projects, including work in artificial intelligence, robotics, big data visualization, accessible technology for the visually impaired, and sustainable energy systems. Each project illustrates how the institute encourages students to use technology for societal good.
Beyond academics, IIITH is committed to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. Prof. Dipti Misra speaks of how the institute promotes gender representation among faculty and students to maintain a vibrant and healthy environment. A student parliament, elected democratically, plays an active role in policy-making, addressing student concerns, and initiating campus projects. Students also participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as hackathons, inter-house competitions, festivals, and social initiatives, which together foster leadership and creativity.
As a not-for-profit, public-private partnership, IIIT Hyderabad’s model has been recognized as a benchmark for other IIITs in India. The institute continues to rank among the top technology universities in the country and aspires to be among the top 25 universities in the world by 2025. In conclusion, Prof. P J Narayanan, former Director, IIITH reaffirms the institute’s commitment to excellence – as one respected globally for its research, innovation, and human values, shaping leaders who combine technical brilliance with social responsibility.
2016
Research Milestone
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of F C Kohli Research Centre, IIIT Hyderabad
At the foundation stone laying ceremony of the FC Kohli Research Centre at IIITH which was led by Former IT Minister of State, KT Ramarao and Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry, Mr. Rama Rao speaks of how by virtue of being a relatively new state, Telangana is often referred to as a ‘start-up’ state. He expresses his gratefulness to the Tata Group for choosing Hyderabad and IIITH in particular to set up the Kohli Center. The Tata Group’s investments in Hyderabad range from hospitality to aerospace and everything else in between. Hence, it’s no surprise that their second largest employee base is in Hyderabad second only to Jamshedpur. He mentions that in the information age, the industry mantra should be innovate, incubate and incorporate with research being essential for all the three steps. He evinces hope that IIITH will continue its focus on not just research but applied research which can result in commercialisation of products for societal good.
2017
Honouring Prof Raj Reddy's Legacy
IIIT-Hyderabad | Felicitation Ceremony for Prof. Raj Reddy
This is a tribute to Prof. Raj Reddy, a globally renowned computer scientist and founder of IIITH. It features heartfelt messages from colleagues, collaborators, and leaders who celebrate his pioneering work, humility, and lasting impact on education, technology, and society. Speakers honor his immense contributions to AI, speech recognition, and the creation of world-class educational institutions in India.
Prof. Raj Reddy completed his PhD in the 1960s in speech recognition, pioneering research that earned him the Turing Award, the highest honor in computer science. Known for his humility and social commitment, he helped shape IIITH’s vision of research-driven, socially conscious education, inspiring excellence and innovation. Colleagues recall how his wisdom and calm leadership brought unity to IIITH’s governing council and guided difficult decisions. His ideas influenced major projects like the AP Broadband and Fibernet initiatives. He also conceptualized models like the “RGK concept,” focusing on empowering rural students and creating educational opportunities at the grassroots level. Raj Reddy is known as a visionary, mentor, and national treasure, whose leadership and compassion continue to inspire IIITH and the wider academic community.
Reflections by Prof Raj Reddy
Prof. Raj Reddy, AI pioneer, founder of IIITH and CMU’s Robotics Institute, the Moza Bint Nasser University Professor of Computer Science and Robotics in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University reflects on his journey from civil engineering to becoming the first PhD in AI at Stanford. He shares how curiosity and chance led him into computing, his role in advancing robotics and AI, and his belief in technology’s power for social good. Prof. Reddy also discusses key awards like the Turing Award, voices his regrets about limited family time, and urges students to embrace bold ideas without fear of failure. He envisions AI solving global challenges such as water, food, and energy security, and stresses that IIITH must remain autonomous, research-driven, and socially impactful.
2023
25 Years of IIIT-H
Prof P J Narayanan on IIITH's 25 year fascinating journey of powering research and innovation
Director Prof. P J Narayanan reflects on the institute’s 25-year journey and future vision. He explains how IIITH was created to blend the strengths of IISc (research focus) and IITs (strong undergraduate training) — making research and education equally important. Instead of traditional departments, the institute is organized into interdisciplinary research centers such as Language Technologies, Computer Vision, Robotics, and Data Engineering, promoting collaboration between experts from diverse fields.
Undergraduate students are deeply integrated into research through programs like the B.Tech (Honors) and dual-degree (B.Tech + MS) tracks, where they begin hands-on project work early and continue into advanced research. The curriculum is designed as an “inverted pyramid,” with practical, subject-focused courses early and broader science and humanities courses later.
Prof. PJN also discusses IIITH’s funding challenges as a self-financed institution, its innovative partnerships with industry (like Microsoft, Infosys, Intel, and TCS), and its success in securing competitive national grants. The institute emphasizes translating research into societal impact through initiatives in language technology, agriculture, and startups, supported by the CIE (Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) and Product Labs. Finally, he highlights the institute’s achievements — a strong research culture, global recognition in AI and computer science rankings, and the creation of a vast “research diaspora” of alumni in academia and industry worldwide — while reaffirming IIITH’s mission to remain a research-first institution that also teaches.