A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up of campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Zanzibar- Tanzania was signed between the Ministry of Education (MoE), Govt. of India, IIT Madras (IIT-M) and Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) Zanzibar- Tanzania on 6th July. It is reflective of the longstanding friendship between India and Tanzania and a reminder of the focus India places on building people to people ties across Africa and the Global South.

Recognising the strategic partnership between the Tanzania and India, the relationship of educational partnership has been formalised by signing the document which provides the framework for the Parties to detail out the setting up of the proposed campus of IIT Madras in Zanzibar- Tanzania, with plans to launch programmes in Oct 2023.

This unique partnership will bring the top-ranked educational expertise of IIT-M to a prime destination in Africa and serve the imperative current needs of the region. The academic programmes, curricula, student selection aspects and pedagogical details will be by IIT-M, whereas the capital and operating expenditure will be met by the government of Zanzibar-Tanzania.

IIT-M degrees will be awarded to the students enrolled in this campus. The state-of-the-art interdisciplinary degrees are expected to attract a diverse cohort and will include students from Tanzania and other countries as well. Indian students are also eligible to apply to these programmes.