The Indian Institute of Technology may finally get its first offshore campus. The proposal to set up an IIT campus in Qatar has reportedly been given an initial go ahead.
To be called the International Institute of Technology,it is to be set up by all the IITs in a concerted effort. To be co-ordinated by the IIT Councilthe apex decision-making body for all IITsthis proposed new institute is learnt to have got the first green signal from the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry.
While the HRD Ministry has traditionally been opposed to IITs or IIMs venturing abroad,arguing that elite educational institutions must focus their energies on India alone,the new dispensation in the ministry is keen Brand India makes a mark abroad. It is learnt that the ministry has,in principle,said it has no objection to the Qatar plan.
To be called the International Institute of Technology,it will have the support of all the IITs. There will be a joint venture between the Indian government and the Qatar government, said an official.
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IIT Qatar,when it comes up,will rub shoulders with elite institutes like Carnegie Mellon University,Virginia Commonwealth University and Georgetown University School of Foreign Service that have set up branch campuses in Qatars Education City.
The Qatar Foundation,chaired by the Emirs wife,Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned,has been instrumental in getting major American varsities set up centres in Education Cityan educational district on the outskirts of Doha. The project aims to make oil-rich Qatar a knowledge economy by 2030.
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