A significant milestone was reached as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing an IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania, was signed. The Ministry of Education of the Government of India, IIT Madras, and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Zanzibar collaborated in this endeavor. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, and Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the President of Zanzibar. This remarkable achievement marks the first-ever establishment of an IIT campus outside India. It signifies the enduring friendship between India and Tanzania, highlighting India’s commitment to fostering people-to-people connections across Africa and the Global South.
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Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, expressed that the signing of the MoU to establish the IIT Madras-Zanzibar campus signifies a momentous step towards the internationalization of higher education. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi‘s vision to strengthen South-South cooperation and foster stronger people-to-people connections with Africa.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 serves as a foundation for integrating knowledge into bilateral relations and promoting global progress.
The NEP 2020 places emphasis on internationalization and recommends that high-performing Indian universities be encouraged to establish campuses in other countries. This move will enable the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and collaborative opportunities, fostering mutual growth and development.
India – Tanzania Collaboration
The formalization of the educational partnership between Tanzania and India through the signing of the document marks a significant milestone in the strategic relationship between the two countries. This partnership will establish the IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania, with plans to commence programs in October 2023.
The collaboration will leverage the expertise and reputation of IIT Madras to meet the educational needs of the region. IIT Madras will be responsible for designing the academic programs, curricula, student selection processes, and pedagogical details, while the government of Zanzibar-Tanzania will provide the necessary funding for capital and operational expenses. Students enrolled in this campus will be awarded degrees from IIT Madras, and the interdisciplinary programs are expected to attract a diverse cohort, including students from Tanzania and other countries. Indian students will also have the opportunity to apply for these programs.
India’s Global Presence
The establishment of the IIT campus in Zanzibar-Tanzania will not only enhance India’s global reputation and diplomatic relationships but also expand the international presence of IIT Madras. The diverse student and faculty community at the international campus is expected to further enhance the quality of education and research at IIT Madras. Additionally, it will foster deeper research collaborations with other top-ranked academic institutions worldwide.
The IIT campus in Zanzibar-Tanzania aims to become a world-class higher education and research institution with a broader mission to develop competencies aligned with emerging global needs, strengthen bilateral ties, and support research and innovation in the region. It will serve as an exemplar of the aspirational qualities of Indian higher education and innovation on the global stage.
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FAQs
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The other three were – IIT Bombay (1958), IIT Madras (1959), and IIT Delhi (1961).
