Internationalisation Is Crucial For HEIs: IIT Madras Director On Offshore Campus In Tanzania

IIT Madras is taking a bold step towards global expansion by establishing its inaugural offshore institute in Tanzania. In an exclusive interview with BW Education, the director of the institution, V Kamakoti, sheds light on the driving factors behind this milestone, the challenges involved and the initial focus on launching Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Edited excerpts from the interview:

Establishing a global institute is a significant accomplishment for IIT Madras. As you are preparing to set up your first offshore institute in Tanzania, what factors have made this possible?

First and foremost, there is a recognition that internationalisation is crucial for a higher education institution to gain a comprehensive understanding of the world and benefit from diverse educational systems. This importance has been emphasised in the national education policy. Additionally, a committee was established, leading to several recommendations that served as a catalyst for this endeavour. 

Convincing the government was another essential step, which we have successfully achieved. Furthermore, we evaluated three key aspects: the need for our presence in a country, avoiding the establishment of another institution without purpose and Tanzania emerged as a suitable option. Tanzania exhibited a well-established government and political structure, along with the involvement of mathematicians and an equivalent of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Extensive discussions took place, solidifying our decision.

You are launching the first batch of Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Why did you choose these courses as a starting point?

When assessing Tanzania's needs, it became evident that there was a significant demand for expertise in data science. The country generates substantial amounts of data and its industries are rapidly growing. They aspire to become proficient in smart city projects and other related initiatives, necessitating a substantial focus on data analytics. Hence, we decided to commence with these courses. Additionally, we plan to introduce other programmes, such as Cyber Physical Systems, in the future.

What challenges do you anticipate in managing this extensive project?

The primary challenge is ensuring a perfect alignment between the country's evolving needs and the educational programmes we offer. Fortunately, at present, there is a strong alignment. However, should a situation arise where Tanzania requires expertise that IIT Madras does not possess, it could pose significant challenges. Nonetheless, we anticipate that over the next five to six years, this alignment will remain intact. We believe that with time, we will better understand each other, leading to smoother operations. Another crucial aspect is the recruitment of talented Tanzanian teachers, similar to the presence of Indian teachers in IITs. To address this, we are bringing multiple Tanzanian PhD students to IIT Madras to cultivate a pool of skilled faculty.

Will students at the new campus have similar placement opportunities to those at Indian campuses?

Absolutely. Tanzania also requires skilled individuals for their industries. We will be welcoming students from India as well. We plan to establish a research park in Tanzania once our permanent campus is established, with a focus on creating robust industry-academia collaboration. These niche courses will provide education at par with IIT standards, ensuring that students invest their efforts and excel. I am confident that the candidates will be highly motivated. We will encourage Indian industries to set up offices in Tanzania, expanding their presence and establishing stronger connections in Africa. We have observed a growing interest in establishing an African presence and consequently, we are becoming an increasingly attractive destination.

Do you think other IITs will be encouraged by IIT Madras' example to establish their global institutes?

Certainly, several institutions have already initiated similar efforts. We expedited the process with the help of our dedicated ambassador, Benipadanji and received swift support from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Affairs and Prime Minister's Office. Other IITs have also made progress in this direction. The inspiration stems not only from IIT Madras but also from the National Education Policy. For instance, IIT Delhi has already begun collaboration with Abu Dhabi, which is in an advanced stage. IIT Kharagpur is exploring opportunities in Malaysia and various other IITs are looking at different countries. Over time, I expect this trend to continue.

Could you please explain why Tanzania was chosen as the location for IIT Madras' first offshore institute?

We chose Tanzania because its requirements were clear, and the government showed immense support, fully funding the project. We did not invest any funds from our side. Additionally, Tanzania boasts a well-established education system. Our aim was to commence operations within six months, ideally by this October. The presence of a supportive ambassador, along with the assistance received, played a crucial role in making this decision. Moreover, Tanzania is an attractive location, situated at the heart of Africa, and benefits from a well-established school education system.