In a historic development, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has set up its first international campus on Zanzibar Island in Tanzania. The campus, which was inaugurated on Monday, November 6, 2023, will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in data science and artificial intelligence.
The IIT Madras expands its academic excellence to Zanzibar, Tanzania with the official opening of its international campus. It has been formally inaugurated by his excellence Dr. Hussain Ali Mwinyi, Hon’ble President of Zanzibar, graced by dignitaries from both Tanzania and India pic.twitter.com/t1FSUX28XO
— Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras (@ogeiitm) November 7, 2023
The establishment of the IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus is a result of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of India and the Government of Zanzibar in July 2023. The MoU aims to promote cooperation in the field of education and research between the two countries.
The campus is located in the Bweleo district of Zanzibar Island, approximately 15 km south of Zanzibar Town. It has been equipped with all the necessary amenities to meet the needs of students, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and residential facilities.
The IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus will initially offer two programs: a four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) program in data science and a two-year Master of Technology (MTech) program in artificial intelligence. The programs will be taught by a team of experienced faculty from IIT Madras and other leading institutions.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti, said that the establishment of the IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus is a historic moment for the institute. He said that the campus will provide students from Tanzania and other African countries with the opportunity to receive world-class education and research in data science and artificial intelligence.
The President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, said that the IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus is a testament to the strong bond of friendship between India and Tanzania. He said that the campus will play a vital role in developing the skills and knowledge of young people in Tanzania and helping them to contribute to the country’s economic and social development.
Potential benefits of the IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus
For Tanzania, the campus will provide students with the opportunity to receive world-class education and research in data science and artificial intelligence. This will help to develop the skills and knowledge of young people in Tanzania and enable them to contribute to the country’s economic and social development.
For India, the campus will serve as a platform to strengthen educational and research cooperation with Africa. It will also help to promote India’s brand as a global leader in education and research.
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