IITM Global Initiative Aims to Make IIT Madras the World’s First Multinational IIT

S Jaishankar Launches IITM Global to Expand IIT Madras’s International Footprint

Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has launched IITM Global , a major international initiative aimed at transforming the Indian Institute of Technology Madras into the world’s first multinational IIT . The programme seeks to establish overseas campuses, research centres, and global startup linkages, marking a significant expansion of India’s higher education and innovation presence abroad.

Vision and Objectives of IITM Global

Built on IIT Madras’s strong academic reputation, cutting-edge infrastructure, and deep industry connections, IITM Global is designed to promote innovation-driven growth with a strong emphasis on societal impact. The initiative will enable cross-border research collaboration, global startup engagement, and academic partnerships, integrating Indian technological expertise with international problem-solving and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Higher Education as a Tool of Foreign Policy

Speaking at the launch, Jaishankar highlighted how India’s foreign policy increasingly leverages domestic institutions to create global impact. He pointed to the establishment of an IIT Madras campus in Tanzania as a key example of how Indian institutions are contributing to capacity-building, skills development, and technological advancement in partner nations.

According to the minister, initiatives like IITM Global strengthen India’s soft power by combining education, innovation, and diplomacy.

Global Partnerships and MoUs

As part of the IITM Global rollout, IIT Madras has signed multiple high-impact memoranda of understanding with international partners. These include collaborations across the United States , United Kingdom , Germany , Dubai , and the Asia-Pacific region , including Singapore and Malaysia . Additional agreements have been signed under the India-for-Global initiative.

These partnerships focus on joint research projects, industry and startup collaboration, global talent exchange, and translating deep-tech research into real-world applications.

Four-Pronged Global Expansion Strategy

IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti stated that the IITM Global Research Foundation will operate through a four-pronged strategy. This includes transferring IIT Madras-developed technologies to global markets, undertaking joint research to address international challenges, enabling Indian startups to access overseas markets, and attracting foreign investment into Indian startups.

In the initial phase, IIT Madras plans to establish a presence in five locations, including the United States , Dubai , Malaysia , and Germany , with further expansion planned based on performance and demand.

Important Facts for Exams

• IITM Global aims to position IIT Madras as the world’s first multinational IIT.

• The initiative includes overseas campuses, research centres, and startup collaboration.

• IIT Madras has signed MoUs across the US, Europe, West Asia, and Asia-Pacific regions.

• The programme aligns India’s higher education ecosystem with its foreign policy outreach.