IIT Madras Builds UAE Research And Startup Links

Indian Institute of Technology Madras has established IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, or IITM Global, to take its research and innovation ecosystem to global markets. The new entity builds on IIT Madras’ 2024 memorandum of understanding with Dubai Economy & Tourism and has received a USD 3 million research and development grant from Dubai Future Foundation. IITM Global has also partnered with MCA Gulf and signed an agreement with Agna Capital to support deep-tech ventures. IIT Madras is ranked No. 1 overall and in engineering in India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework.

Dubai Research Grant

IITM Global was launched by Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, Government of India. The foundation supports IIT Madras’ goal of becoming the world’s first multinational university.

The Dubai Future Foundation grant, funded through its Research, Development and Innovation program, is intended to support emerging technologies, strategic foresight and advanced research and development in Dubai.

Startup And Education Programs

The MCA Gulf partnership will create a UAE launchpad for deep-tech startups, offering access to investment, business networks and commercialization pathways. The collaboration will also provide executive education and workforce upskilling programs aligned with the UAE’s Vision 2030.

IITM Global’s agreement with Agna Capital covers structured mentorship, startup advisory support, market access and coordinated processes to assess and enable investments.

Global University Ambition

The foundation is intended to take IIT Madras’ research and innovation ecosystem to global markets.

“An IIT Madras Campus in Tanzania is a way by which Indian Foreign Policy has leveraged the capabilities of an Institution here to make a huge impact. In ten years from now, think how many Students of Africa would have passed through its portals. Look at the impact that we would have on the minds of people who, in their own countries, would be economic and technology leaders. We are a human resource power and we should play to our strengths. We now have the capability to start doing so. When institutions of excellence in the country start going abroad, the business of foreign policy gains a huge addition to our arsenal. This is something very transformational.”

Research Rankings

IIT Madras is ranked No. 180 in the QS World University Rankings and No. 56 in the QS Asian University Rankings. The institute is using its research ecosystem as the basis for its global partnerships.