IIT Madras, Rekhi Foundation join hands to establish centre of excellence for the science of happiness

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the Rekhi Foundation for Happiness, a not-for-profit organization, have established the ‘Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness’. The center will be located within the Department of Management Studies (DoMS) at IIT Madras and will focus on several areas, including integrating happiness studies into the academic curriculum.

The center will also focus on research and education in the science of happiness. It will integrate happiness studies into the academic curriculum. Courses will be developed to cultivate positivity and emotional resilience. “The centre will focus on developing and delivering courses that empower students to cultivate positivity, build emotional resilience, and lead purposeful lives,” the official press release said.

The centre will provide hands-on learning experiences through a Mind Lab, which will have tools to enhance practical understanding and application. The Rekhi Centre for the Science of Happiness will work on research, education, and outreach programs to promote well-being through scientific and philosophical studies.

The collaboration aims to explore methods for understanding happiness and its role in education and personal development. Through this partnership, IIT Madras is focusing on both knowledge and well-being in education.

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Key attendees at the event

The agreement was signed by Satinder Singh Rekhi, founder of Rekhi Foundation for Happiness, and Manu Santhanam, dean (IC&SR), IIT Madras. The event was also attended by IIT Madras director V Kamakoti, DoMS faculty members, including head of department M Thenmozhi, Rupashree Baral, Srinivasan S, and other stakeholders.

Addressing the agreement signing event, V Kamakoti, director of 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, Satinder Singh Rekhi, founder of 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.