The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is an engineering and technology school in Chennai (formerly Madras) in southern India. Recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India, it is regarded as one of the finest engineering institutions in India. Founded in 1959 with technical and financial assistance from the Government of the erstwhile West Germany, IIT Madras is third among currently fifteen Indian Institutes of Technology (including 6 new IITs started in 2008 and 2 more in 2009) established by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament, to provide education and research facilities in engineering and technology. IIT Madras is a residential institute that occupies a 2.5 sq. km (620 acres) campus that was formerly part of the adjoining Guindy National Park. The institute has nearly 360 faculty, 6,000 students and 1,250 administrative and supporting staff. Growing ever since it obtained its charter from the Indian Parliament in 1961, much of the spectacular campus is a protected forest, carved out of the Guindy National Park, and still remains home to chital (spotted deer), black buck, and other wildlife.