In a significant step towards global outreach, two prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) – IIT Delhi and IIT Madras – are to set up campuses overseas. The decision is aimed at extending the reach of Indian educational excellence beyond the country’s borders.
IIT Delhi will open a campus in Abu Dhabi, while IIT Madras has established a presence in Zanzibar, focusing on the educational needs of African countries. The move underlines the internationalisation initiative within the Indian education sector.
Announcing the landmark development in the Rajya Sabha, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stressed the need to bridge the gap between Indian students, who often seek educational opportunities abroad.
“Today, our students are forced to go abroad. Now, not only will foreign institutions come to India, but two have initiated the process to open their universities in Gujarat, the gift city,” the education minister said, highlighting efforts to attract foreign institutions to set up campuses in India.
Pradhan emphasised that the regulatory framework is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) and focuses on quality and fee structure, ensuring global standards while catering to the needs of students.
“Quality and fee structure are provided for in the NEP regulation. Now more students will get global standard education,” he affirmed, mentioning the formation of a committee to review applications and the importance of granting autonomy to academic institutions.
Proudly sharing the news with the House, the Education Minister highlighted the global linkages of all IITs and other reputed institutes and asserted that the NEP would facilitate further collaborations.
Responding to questions on reservations or affirmative action in foreign universities in India, he clarified that these institutions would operate under the rules of their respective countries. He stressed that while Indian universities follow specific guidelines, new forms of scholarships are designed to promote diversity and inclusivity in education.
The move by IIT Delhi and IIT Madras to expand internationally reflects India’s commitment to take quality education beyond its borders. This strategic move not only strengthens the global presence of these esteemed institutions, but also marks a paradigm shift in India’s educational landscape, in line with the vision of promoting academic excellence on a global scale.
