Following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established on Saturday between UAE and Indian officials, the creation of an overseas branch of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Abu Dhabi is officially underway. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed among the Indian Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek), and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Delhi.
Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian ambassador to the UAE stated, earlier this year that plans have been finalized by the authorities for the renowned IIT to set up a campus in Abu Dhabi in 2024. The MoU as a significant milestone in the UAE Capital's pledge to advance a top-notch educational system, stated Sara Musallam, Minister of State for Early Education, Chairman of the Federal Agency of Early Education, and Chairman of Adek.
During the agreement's execution Musallam stated, "In line with our national strategy, this MoU reflects our commitment to providing world-class educational experiences. We anticipate that the IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi partnership will support our transition towards fostering an environment that nurtures innovation and accelerates high-level research”.
The IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus will start providing a variety of bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. programs in January 2024. It will also run research centers for computer and data sciences, climate studies, and sustainable energy. It will encompass a wide range of programs in engineering, science, and the humanities, featuring courses on energy and sustainability, AI, engineering and computer science, mathematics, and computers. By partnering with important organizations like the Technology Innovation Institute, Hub71, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi will enhance the academic, research, and innovation ecosystem in Abu Dhabi by providing complementary programs, conducting cutting-edge research, and advancing the regional startup ecosystem.
The agreement has been hailed as a significant development that will deepen the long-standing relationship between the UAE and India and further enrich the higher education landscape in the United Arab Emirates by Dharmendra Pradhan, Cabinet Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the Government of India. Graduates from IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi are expected to join an esteemed alumni association that includes alumni from 23 institutions across India. IIT-Delhi has a stellar reputation and was recently listed among the top 50 engineering and technology schools in the world. In the 2022 QS World University Rankings, it also received a top 30 ranking for employability globally. IIT-Delhi has made significant contributions to India's R&D ecosystem in a variety of fields, including software, military, healthcare, and rural development.
