Chennai: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with the Rekhi Foundation for Happiness to set up the 'Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness.'

The centre, housed in the Department of Management Studies (DoMS), aims to integrate happiness studies into academic curricula and advance research in the field.

An MoU for this initiative was signed on March 24, 2025, between Dr. Satinder Singh Rekhi, Founder, Rekhi Foundation for Happiness, and Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (IC&SR), IIT Madras, in the presence of IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti and DoMS faculty members.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Kamakoti emphasized that the initiative should foster a conducive student-faculty environment, reinforcing holistic learning beyond academic performance. Dr. Rekhi highlighted the role of happiness in success and spoke on the concept of the "Monkey Brain," which he described as a restless mind leading to stress and unhappiness.

The centre will focus on developing and delivering courses to help students cultivate positivity, build emotional resilience, and lead purposeful lives. A dedicated Mind Lab equipped with advanced tools will offer hands-on learning experiences.

The collaboration is expected to drive research, education, and outreach programs, promoting happiness through scientific and philosophical approaches. The Rekhi Foundation, a non-profit trust established in 2016, supports similar centres globally to foster well-being through education and research.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Rekhi delivered a keynote lecture titled "Is Your Monkey Brain Making You Unhappy?" to students at IIT Madras.