Somerville College at the University of Oxford has proudly announced the election of Mr Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, as a Foundation Fellow—one of the highest honours the College bestows for philanthropy. This prestigious recognition was conferred during a ceremony held on 23rd September 2025, attended by distinguished guests including the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Professor Irene Tracey, the High Commissioner of India, HE Vikram Doraiswami, and other prominent leaders from the Tata Group and academia.
Chandrasekaran, widely known as Chandra, was elected to this Fellowship by the outgoing Principal, Baroness Jan Royall, along with the Governing Body of Somerville College, in acknowledgment of his instrumental role in enabling the creation of the College’s new flagship teaching and learning hub—the Ratan Tata Building. Named after Mr Ratan Tata, a revered philanthropist and Chandrasekaran’s mentor, this building will serve as the permanent home for the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD). Since its inception in 2013, the OICSD has been a leading force in researching critical issues related to sustainability and development that impact India and the global community.
A Foundation Fellowship creates a lifelong bond between the recipient and Somerville College and is a testament to the transformative support and enduring partnership between the Tata Group and Oxford. Catherine Royle, Principal of Somerville College, praised Chandrasekaran as “a shining testament to the power of meritocracy and just how much can be achieved through intellect and hard work,” celebrating his ongoing contributions to the shared vision between the College, the OICSD, and the Tata Group.
In his remarks, Natarajan Chandrasekaran highlighted the long-standing commitment of Somerville College to addressing pressing social causes over nearly 150 years, aligning with the core values of the Tata Group and its luminary Ratan Tata. He expressed confidence that the partnership’s fertile interdisciplinary environment would continue to foster collaboration and innovation to tackle some of the world’s most urgent environmental and social challenges.
Chandrasekaran’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Sciences from the Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, followed by a Master of Computer Applications from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. Since completing his studies, he has dedicated himself to the Tata Group, ascending through leadership roles to become Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of India’s largest business conglomerate.
The conferral of the Foundation Fellowship marks a significant milestone in the enduring relationship between one of India’s most respected business leaders and one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions, reinforcing a shared commitment to philanthropy, education, and sustainable development.
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