IIT-Delhi Expands Global Footprint: New Campus In Abu Dhabi, UAE, Confirmed For 2024
New Delhi, 17th July 2023: IIT-Delhi is all set to establish a new international campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE by 2024, as announced by Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. An agreement has been signed between the two governments, marking the second global campus of the Indian Institute of Technology.
Last week, IIT-Madras unveiled its campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania, which will be the first global IIT campus starting from October. Additionally, IIT-Kharagpur is in discussions about setting up its international campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The idea of an IIT campus in Abu Dhabi has been in discussion since last year, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), and IIT-Delhi confirms its establishment.
The IIT-Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi is seen as a significant step in the internationalization of India’s education. It is a symbol of India-UAE friendship and will promote knowledge exchange for mutual prosperity and global progress.
The signing ceremony was attended by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement was signed by Abu Dhabi’s undersecretary for education, the Indian ambassador to UAE, and IIT-Delhi’s director.
The new campus will collaborate with various higher education institutions in the UAE, including Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Khalifa University, New York University, Abu Dhabi, Technology Innovation Institute, and Hub71. It aims to offer a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs and will focus on research in sustainable energy, climate studies, computing, and data sciences.
While the specific courses to be offered at the international campus are yet to be announced, IIT-Madras has revealed its initial offerings in data science and AI. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the two nations in early 2022 laid the foundation for the realization of an IIT campus in the UAE.
The IIT-Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi will have a research-centric focus, aiming to make a global impact through its education and research efforts. Outreach programs for UAE school students have already been initiated, and short courses and executive programs for the industry are planned for the near future.
Overall, the establishment of IIT-Delhi’s international campus in Abu Dhabi represents an exciting opportunity for India to enhance its global presence in education and research, fostering international collaboration and academic excellence.
