NEW DELHI, INDIA: Shiv Nadar, founder of software major HCL, was appointed the chairman of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, a statement from the company said Thursday.

IIT-Kharagpur is the only engineering institution from India listed among top 500 universities worldwide in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University's 'Academic Ranking of World Universities'.

"It is an honour to be entrusted the responsibility to further advance the global stature this great institution has built already," said Nadar.

HCL founder takes over chairmanship from Muthuraman

The HCL founder takes over the chairmanship from B. Muthuraman, vice chairman of Tata Steel. He now increasingly spends his time on the philanthropic initiatives of the not-for-profit Shiv Nadar Foundation.

Former chairpersons of IIT-Kharagpur include former West Bengal chief minister B.C. Roy, former chairman and managing director of Tata Steel Russi Mody, chairman emeritus of Ballarpur Industries Ltd. L.M. Thapar, and chairman emeritus of RPG Group R.P. Goenka.