The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has officially opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi, further solidifying the academic and cultural relations between India and the United Arab Emirates.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attended the inauguration.
The campus, known as IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi, was established following a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2023, witnessed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This initiative aligns with the Vision Document launched by both leaders in February 2022, aiming to broaden the scope of India-UAE cooperation into new realms, including education.
Academic Offerings
IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi commenced its operations with a Master’s program in Energy Transition and Sustainability in January 2024. The program is tailored to address the UAE’s sustainability goals, especially in light of hosting COP28. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge necessary for sustainable energy solutions, aligning with the UAE’s National Energy Strategy 2050.
The inauguration also saw the welcoming of the first batch of undergraduate students, with 52 students selected through rigorous processes, including the JEE Advanced exam and the newly established Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) for international candidates.
This diverse cohort will engage in programs like Bachelor of Technology in Energy Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering, reflecting the campus’s commitment to tackling global energy challenges and digital innovation.
Strategic Collaborations
The event was not just about the launch but also about forging strategic partnerships.
IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi signed a Memoranda of Understanding with several prestigious institutions in Abu Dhabi, including Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Zayed University.
These partnerships are expected to foster joint research, student exchanges, and collaborative academic programs, enhancing the educational ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.
With its state-of-the-art facilities and a curriculum designed to meet global challenges, IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi is set to become a beacon of technological and scientific advancement in the region.