CSR: Virtusa Foundation Enhances STEM Learning with New Lab Facilities at Lady Willingdon School

CHENNAI (India CSR): Virtusa Corporation, a global leader in digital engineering and technology services, has completed an infrastructure transformation project at Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School in Chennai as part of its ongoing CSR initiatives. The advanced lab facilities, inaugurated on April 3rd, 2025, align with Virtusa Foundation’s mission to promote education, environment, and empowerment. This project was implemented through a strategic partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu’s Department of School Education under the Namma School Namma Oorupalli initiative. The transformation at Lady Willingdon is poised to deliver long-term impact, nurturing the next generation of innovators, leaders, and change-makers while creating value for both students and the wider community.

Enhanced Learning Spaces

As part of the partnership, Virtusa has completed the comprehensive upgrade of the school’s facilities to empower future-ready students. The transformation includes constructing a 6600-square-foot state-of-the-art science laboratory and classrooms for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, offering immersive STEM learning experiences. Complementing the new science labs, the initiative has added an additional 4600 square feet for a modernized kitchen-cum-dining area, ensuring students have access to nutritious meals in a clean, hygienic environment. These infrastructure expansions aim to encourage enrollment, reduce dropouts, and significantly improve educational outcomes and the well-being of the students. This milestone marks a new chapter in the school’s evolution and sets a benchmark for government school infrastructure in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

A Century of Legacy

Established in 1922, the Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School in Mylapore, Chennai, has provided free public education for over a century, shaping generations. With a legacy spanning 103 years, the institution has empowered over 100,000 alumni, many of whom have significantly contributed to society. Today, the school continues its mission, primarily serving children from economically challenged backgrounds, including the underserved communities in Sathya Nagar, Kannagi Nagar, and Perumbakkam.

Inauguration by Leaders

The new facilities were formally inaugurated by Shri Udhayanidhi Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and Shri Anbil Mahesh, Minister for School Education. Senior leaders from Virtusa, including Ram Meenakshisundaram (CTO) and Venkatesan Vijayaraghavan (EVP & Global Head – Technology Service Lines), were also present, reaffirming the shared commitment of both government and private sectors to advancing educational infrastructure and opportunity.

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Commitment to Education

On this occasion, Ram Meenakshisundaram, Chief Technology Officer, Virtusa, stated, “Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School, with its rich 103-year legacy, has been a cornerstone of education in Chennai. At Virtusa, we firmly believe in our core ethos of education, environment, and empowerment, and the transformation of this iconic institution reflects our commitment to these values. By enhancing the school’s advanced science infrastructure, we provide students with the resources to explore, innovate, and develop critical problem-solving skills. Through our partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu’s Department of School Education under the Namma School Namma Oorupalli initiative, we are ensuring that quality education is accessible to all.”

Virtusa’s Ongoing Efforts

Reflecting on the significance of this achievement, Amit Bajoria, Chief Financial Officer, Virtusa, added, “At Virtusa, we believe in the transformative power of education. This initiative reflects our long-standing commitment to community upliftment. Through the Virtusa Foundation, we’ve impacted over 20,000 students, and this project at Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School furthers our mission to enhance educational infrastructure. The new laboratories will foster hands-on science learning, while the newly constructed kitchen and dining hall facilities will ensure students receive nutritious meals in a safe environment. This initiative underscores our commitment to bridging gaps in education and equipping young minds for the future.”

Fostering Sustainable Growth

The successful completion of this initiative stands as a testament to Virtusa’s ongoing efforts to drive social impact through education, reinforcing its role as a responsible corporate citizen. With this milestone, Virtusa Foundation reaffirms its vision of fostering sustainable educational ecosystems, ensuring quality learning environments for students across communities.

(India CSR)