The Indian Institute of Technology Madras became the first Indian Institute of Technology to create an international campus on Monday, with the establishment of a campus in Tanzania. India and the East African countries recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The Zanzibar Campus of IIT Madras is located in Zanzibar Island, which is located off the East African continent and is part of Tanzania's republic. In the presence of Tanzanian authorities, Indian dignitaries, personnel, and students, Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, officially launched the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus on Monday.

This historic endeavor is part of the Government of India's attempt to promote India's high-quality education system on a global scale. The current location in the Bweleo area, some 15 kilometers south of Zanzibar Town, is outfitted with international amenities geared to students' current needs. In conjunction with the governments of Zanzibar and India, a permanent campus will be created soon.

Initially, the Institute will offer BS and MTech degrees in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. More academic programs will be offered in the future year. In the first cohort at IITM Zanzibar, students from Zanzibar, mainland Tanzania, Nepal, and India were admitted, with women accounting for 40% of the students.

The property will house students in dorms and provide a variety of facilities. There are now offices, classrooms, and auditoriums. There is on-campus food and a dispensary, and sports facilities are in the works.

Students of all nationalities, including Indians, are welcome to enroll in the IITM Zanzibar courses. Students will have access to several fascinating possibilities during their studies, in addition to a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Study abroad/semester exchange programs with IIT Madras' partner institutions in the United Kingdom and Australia, among others, internships with various relevant companies, and the possibility to meet some course requirements at the IIT Madras campus in Chennai, India, are among them. Classes for the first Academic Year (2023-24) began in October 2023.

"Today, as we inaugurate the IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus, we embark on a cross-border journey of knowledge and innovation," remarked V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras. We will develop excellence, foster collaboration, and inspire future generations to reach for the stars if we work together." 

The campus began its first semester with students from various nations such as Zanzibar, India, Nepal, and Tanzania Mainland. A total of 45 students have been admitted to the four-year Bachelor of Science in Data Science and AI program, as well as the two-year Master of Technology in Data Science and AI programs.

"It has been a privilege to bring the academic excellence of IITM to this beautiful island of Zanzibar." We've gotten off to such a great start, with a beautiful campus and outstanding students. "We are grateful to President Mwinyi for his trust, and we look forward to reaching new heights at IITM Zanzibar," said Preeti Aghalayam, Dean of the School of Engineering and Science and Director-in-Charge of the Zanzibar campus.