Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is partnering with Rekhi Foundation for Happiness, a not-for-profit organization, to establish ‘Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness’.
Coming up in the Department of Management Studies (DoMS), IIT Madras, this Centre of Excellence will focus on several areas including integrating happiness studies into the academic curriculum.
An MoU towards this collaboration was signed on 24th March 2025 between Dr. Satinder Singh Rekhi, Founder, Rekhi Foundation for Happiness and Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (IC&SR), IIT Madras, in the presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, DoMS faculty members, Prof. M. Thenmozhi, Head of the Department, Prof. Rupashree Baral and Prof. Srinivasan S., and other stakeholders.
With this initiative, IIT Madras is advancing research and education in the science of happiness, recognizing its crucial role in holistic learning and personal growth. The centre will focus on developing and delivering courses that empower students to cultivate positivity, build emotional resilience, and lead purposeful lives.
Additionally, it will offer hands-on learning experiences through a dedicated Mind Lab, equipped with cutting-edge tools to deepen practical understanding and application.
Addressing the MoU Signing Event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “the objective of this initiative should be to cultivate an ideal student-faculty environment, reinforcing the idea that true learning and holistic personal growth extend beyond academic scores.”
Elaborating on the need for such collaboration, Dr. Satinder Singh Rekhi, Founder, Rekhi Foundation for Happiness, said, “Happy people are more successful,” reinforcing his philosophy that whatever one does unhappily, he or she can do better happily. He also spoke about the “Monkey Brain” – a restless, anxious mind that leads to stress and unhappiness.
The Rekhi Centre for the Science of Happiness will focus on research, education, and outreach programs aimed at understanding and promoting happiness through scientific and philosophical approaches. The collaboration is expected to pave the way for innovative methodologies to enhance well-being and holistic development of the campus community and beyond.
Through this partnership, IIT Madras is taking yet another step in redefining education, placing equal emphasis on knowledge and well-being.
Rekhi Foundation for Happiness is a non-profit trust founded in 2016 by Dr. Satinder Singh Rekhi. It works to advance the practice and knowledge of Happiness Science and Positive Psychology by establishing happiness centres in universities worldwide, fostering well-being through research, education, and practical applications.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Rekhi delivered a keynote address on “Is Your Monkey Brain Making You Unhappy?” to students at IIT Madras. In his talk, he emphasized the importance of observing one’s thoughts, explaining that thoughts can shape perceptions and make people believe them to be real, even when they are not.
