IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi expansion opens doors to UAE job opportunities

India’s education ministry and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), United Arab Emirates (UAE) have recently joined forces to bring the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to the heart of Abu Dhabi.

This move is set to provide Emirati and Indian students in Abu Dhabi, as well as those from the region, access to world-class education opportunities, fostering cross-cultural connections and academic excellence.

COURSES ON OFFER

IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi is envisioned as a research-centric campus, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.

These programmes will encompass various fields, including energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence, computer science and engineering, healthcare, mathematics, computing, and more.

The institution aims to cater to the UAE's priority sectors, equipping students with essential skills for the job market.

WHEN DO CLASSES BEGIN?

Starting from January 2024, IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus will commence its Master's programmes, followed by Bachelor's courses in September the same year.

A VISION OF COLLABORATION

The MoU signed in mid-July marks a significant milestone in the field of international education and academic cooperation.

“The recent MoU we signed complements the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Agreement (CEPA), in line with the shared vision between both nations by placing education, innovation, knowledge exchange, and investing in people at the forefront,” says Dr. Ahmed Sultan Al Shoaibi, Acting Executive Director of Higher Education Sector, ADEK, in an interview with India Today.

IIT Delhi was chosen by the Ministry of Education for this strategic endeavor, reinforcing its commitment to advancing education and research.

“These goals will drive our future success and contribute to long-term economic growth and sustainable development, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s higher education landscape to align with the country’s national development goals and priorities,” he adds.

Dr. Shoaibi emphasized that this collaboration between India and the UAE will significantly enhance both countries' educational sectors. It will do so through collaborative research, faculty exchanges, and innovative programmes focusing on crucial areas like AI, data sciences, and energy.

Graduates from this partnership are expected to be well-prepared for the job market, contributing to the economic growth and societal progress of both the UAE and India.

“This partnership ensures students receive a world-class education in Abu Dhabi while tapping into IIT’s strong academic reputation. It provides Indian students with specialised and technical learning opportunities without needing to return to their home country,” says Dr. Shoaibi.

“The partnership also opens doors to research opportunities and partnerships with esteemed entities and organisations in Abu Dhabi. This increases students’ chances of finding jobs within the country after graduation, as IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi’s academic offerings cater to the needs of the UAE’s priority sectors,” he adds.

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the UAE further solidified the multifaceted bilateral ties between the two nations.

Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, sees the Abu Dhabi campus as both a challenge and an opportunity to make a global impact through education and research.

IIT Delhi's move to establish an offshore campus follows IIT Madras, which recently signed an MoU to set up a campus in Tanzania's Zanzibar which is set to commence operations in October 2023.

This expansion reflects the growing influence of the prestigious IIT system beyond India's borders, fostering international educational collaboration and opportunities.