Dr Renduchintala said: “I am delighted to be able make this donation to my Alma Mater.  “Whatever I have been able to achieve professionally thus far has been built on the solid academic foundation the university provided me with. It therefore seems both fitting and appropriate that I participate in helping the leadership of the university as they take this institute into important fields of research and learning that look towards our future. I am really excited by the ambitions we have for the centre and am confident that the research it conducts will be both influential and impactful.”

The centre’s long-term aim is to establish the Yorkshire and Humber region as the space technology anchor, through collaborations with governments, regional organisations and academia.

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “This investment means the university will be able to take advantage of the many opportunities that will be generated as a result of an increase in space exploration and to play a role in the creation of cutting-edge technologies.”

Dr Renduchintala is one of the most high-profile members of the university community, having pursued a distinguished career in developing and manufacturing wireless communications, System-on-Chip and Internet of Things technologies – working latterly as the Chief Engineering Officer for Intel Corporation. Now residing in the USA, his exceptionally generous donation will seed-fund the Bradford-Renduchintala Centre for Space. The centre will allow the university to deliver educational programmes in space and satellite technology development, and to play an active role in the creation of cutting-edge technologies.

The University of Bradford has a history of 40 years in Space and Satellite Technology.

Professor Fun Hu, Professor of Wireless Communications and the Centre Director, said: “The generous donation from Murthy has given the university a solid foundation to step out firmly to explore with the rest of the world in this space era.”