1st Ever International Campus of IIT Delhi Opens in Abu Dhabi With a Batch of 52 Students
IIT Delhi: IIT Delhi has opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi. The opening ceremony was led by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Monday. This new campus marks a big step in enhancing the UAE's role as a key center for education and innovation worldwide.
The inaugural group of students includes 52 individuals from various backgrounds. This campus is the second international one for an IIT, with the first being IIT Madras's campus in Zanzibar.
Inauguration of IIT Delhi's First International Campus in Abu Dhabi
On Monday, September 2, 2024, IIT Delhi opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The event was honored by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This event is a big step in the educational partnership between India and the UAE.
The first group of students at the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus includes 52 individuals. They are enrolled in the following Bachelor's degree programs:
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Computer Science and Engineering
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Energy Engineering
These students were selected based on their performance in JEE Advanced and the new Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) for international students.
Welcoming the Inaugural Batch of 52 Students
Fifty-two students will start their BTech studies in Computer Science and Engineering and Energy Engineering at the new IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus.
During the event, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed helped set up important partnerships between the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus, the main IIT Delhi campus, and top universities in Abu Dhabi. These universities include Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Khalifa University, and Zayed University.
Diverse Academic Programs Offered
IIT Delhi is one of the 23 top institutes in India known for producing skilled engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
In July 2023, a formal agreement was signed to set up IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi. This agreement was made between the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, IIT Delhi, and India's Ministry of Education. The signing took place with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan present.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised the new campus, calling it a "symbol of India-UAE friendship." He said it represents a shared vision to use knowledge, science, and technology to promote global prosperity.
Strategic Partnerships
During the inauguration, IIT Delhi signed several strategic partnerships with leading Abu Dhabi universities, including:
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Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
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Khalifa University
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Zayed University
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Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
These partnerships are anticipated to promote higher academic and research capabilities in Abu Dhabi, boost supporting research, and foster new startup enterprises.
IIT Delhi's First International Campus in Abu Dhabi FAQs
Q1. What is significant about IIT Delhi's new campus in Abu Dhabi?
Answer: IIT Delhi has opened its first-ever international campus in Abu Dhabi, marking a major step in its global expansion. The campus welcomed its first batch of 52 students and is part of efforts to strengthen the UAE's role in education and innovation.
Q2. Who attended the inauguration of the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus?
Answer: The inauguration was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who led the event. This highlights the strong educational partnership between India and the UAE.
Q3. What programs are offered at the new IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus?
Answer: The inaugural batch of 52 students at the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus is enrolled in two Bachelor's degree programs: Computer Science and Engineering, and Energy Engineering.
Q4. How were students selected for the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus?
Answer: Students were selected based on their performance in JEE Advanced and the newly introduced Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) for international students.
Q5. What partnerships were established during the campus inauguration?
Answer: During the inauguration, IIT Delhi formed strategic partnerships with prominent universities in Abu Dhabi, such as Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Khalifa University, and Zayed University. These partnerships aim to enhance academic and research collaboration.
DASA Admission for NRI Students 2026 requires JEE Main scores for UG and GRE/GMAT for PG admissions. Registration starts online at dasanit.org in June 2026, with 15% supernumerary seats and a CIWG quota. Tuition fees are around USD 4,000 per semester (USD 2,000 for CIWG), and counselling will be conducted online in July after JEE Main results.
