IIT Delhi’s first international campus opens in Abu Dhabi

Introduction

India's biggest STEM institution is now in the capital as IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi in a big win for the education sector. The official inauguration for India's biggest STEM Campus Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Abu Dhabi (IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi) marks its first international campus ever.

Official Inauguration

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended the official inauguration. During the event, Sheikh Khaled also witnessed the launch of strategic partnership between IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi, its main campus in Delhi, and several prominent Abu Dhabi-based institutions. These include Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Zayed University.

The agreement to establish the institute's Abu Dhabi campus was witnessed by UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2023.

Local Partnership

IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi will collaborate with Khalifa University on research and academic programmes, sharing of research facilities and lab spaces, and mobility of students and faculty exchanges.

The institution's partnership with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will facilitate particular joint projects, students exchange at the postgraduate level, and the organization of seminars and scientific meetings.

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence will participate in joint research via the allocation of seed project grants by both institutions, collaborate in joint teaching and short training programmes, and host internship programmes.

Exchange Programmes

The partnership with Zayed University will host exchange programmes for faculty and students, collaboration on education and research, co-supervise graduation research, and hosting of academic events, including joint conferences, research seminars, student competitions, and workshops.

Campus Tour

During the visit, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed toured the campus and reviewed the diverse academic programmes and facilities offered by the institute, including the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programmes in Energy Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering, designed to provide undergraduates with the knowledge to address energy challenges and shape the digital future.

He was also briefed on the master's programme in Energy Transaction and Sustainability (ETS), which aims to nurture a new generation of young leaders who will steer global communities towards equitable energy transaction solutions.

Launch Aligns with CEPA Goals

The agreement to establish the Abu Dhabi campus was initially endorsed in July 2023 by the UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This initiative complements the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement (CEPA), which came into effect in February 2022.