Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has set up ‘Pillay Chair Professor‘ endowed by alumnus Sanjay Pillay to strengthen excellence and leadership in teaching, research and development in machine learning, VLSI design and sensors in the Electrical Engineering Department.

Sanjay Pillay completed his B Tech (Electrical Engineering) in 1991, and his parents, brother and sister are also alumni of IIT Delhi. He is an entrepreneur, innovator, and technology leader, specialising in functional safety and EDA tool development, which also includes audio, video, data compression, design analysis and fault coverage algorithms. 

He founded Austemper Design Systems in 2015, which Siemens AG acquired. The company’s software tests that chips are safe from electrical faults resulting from high temperatures, radiation, vibration, and other factors in automotive, industrial, and aerospace applications where high reliability is mandatory. The tools can also suggest changes to what they identify as vulnerable silicon areas.  

Sharing his memories as a student at the institute, Pillay said, “IIT Delhi has played an integral role in shaping the person I am today, and I will be forever grateful for the guidance, education, and experience I received here. It is an honour to support IIT Delhi and my privilege to be associated with the establishment of the chair.”