The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi has officially opened its first international campus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The inauguration ceremony, held on Monday, was graced by the presence of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, marking an important milestone for the prestigious Indian institution.
The newly established IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus, situated in the UAE capital, is set to welcome 52 students into its inaugural batch. This development highlights the growing international influence of IIT-Delhi and reflects a deepening educational collaboration between India and the UAE.
In conjunction with the launch, IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi has secured strategic partnerships with several key Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the region. These partnerships include collaborations with Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Zayed University. The aim of these alliances is to promote joint research initiatives, academic programs, and exchanges for both students and faculty.
According to the UAE’s official news agency, WAM, the partnership with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will facilitate joint research projects, postgraduate student exchanges, and the organisation of seminars. Additionally, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence will engage in collaborative research, provide seed project grants, and host internships for students.
The IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus will offer a range of academic programs, focusing on critical areas such as energy, engineering, and computer science. This diverse curriculum is designed to cater to the growing demand for specialised skills in these fields.
The foundation for IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi was laid following an agreement between the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, IIT Delhi, and India’s Ministry of Education. This agreement was formalised during a meeting in July 2023, which was attended by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
