Indian Institute of Technology Madras is a premier institution of national importance, renowned for excellence in higher education, research, and innovation. With seventeen departments and numerous interdisciplinary academic centers, IIT Madras offers a wide range of programs, including B.Tech, BS, Dual Degree, M.Tech, MS, MSc, MA, MBA, PG Diploma, and PhD. Consistently ranked #1 in the NIRF rankings and the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) in 2024, IIT Madras continues to set benchmarks for academic and research excellence. In September 2019 the institute was conferred with the Institute of Eminence (loE) status by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Govt. of India.

Established in 1977 as the Ocean Engineering Center and upgraded to an academic department in 1982, this department at IIT Madras offers B.Tech and Dual Degree programs in Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, including M.Tech programs in Ocean Engineering, Ocean Technology, and Petroleum Engineering, along with M.S. and Ph.D. research degrees. Recognized as a Center of Excellence, the department focuses on innovation and education in Ocean Engineering, Naval Architecture, Coastal Engineering, Ocean Optics, Offshore Structural Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. In 2019, it was ranked 37th globally in the Shanghai Ranking for Ocean and Marine Engineering.

The International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR), founded in 1935, is a worldwide independent organisation of engineers and water specialists working in fields related to the hydro-environmental sciences and their practical application. Activities range from river and maritime hydraulics to water resources development and eco-hydraulics, through to ice engineering, hydro-informatics and continuing education and training. IAHR stimulates and promotes both research and it's application, and by so doing strives to contribute to sustainable development, the optimisation of the world's water resources management and industrial flow processes. IAHR accomplishes its goals by a wide variety of member activities including: working groups, research agenda, congresses, specialty conferences, workshops and short courses; Journals, Monographs and Proceedings; by involvement in international programmes such as UNESCO, WMO, IDNDR, GWP, ICSU, and by co-operation with other water-related (inter)national organisations.

The Southern-India Young Professional Network is a regional chapter of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR), dedicated to empowering young professionals and students in the fields of water, environment, and hydro-science engineering. This network fosters collaboration, innovation, and professional growth by connecting emerging talents with experts in academia, industry, and government. Through workshops, technical events, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, IAHR SI YPN promotes interdisciplinary learning and addresses pressing challenges in hydro-environmental sustainability, aiming to nurture the next generation of leaders in water and environmental engineering.