ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Hussein Ali Mwinyi is today scheduled to officially launch the eagerly-awaited Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) University in Zanzibar.
During a recent visit by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to India several agreements were signed, among others, was to establish the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, which is first-ever overseas campus in Tanzania in efforts to strengthen education partnership.
At a press conference here yesterday, Zanzibar Minister for education and vocational training Ms Lela Mohamed Mussa said arrangements for the launching of the new university’s campus at Bweleo, Unguja West B District have been finalised.
“Actually, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras University campus here in Zanzibar, had already started classes in October. Out of the 46 students (undergraduate, Masters and PhD), 21 are Tanzanians including female students,” Ms Mussa said.
She said the IITM- Zanzibar has all the required facilities for the students to study and link with lecturers in India, through online and e-library. “This is an opportunity for students to study hard for their success,” Ms Mussa emphasised.
Prof Preeti Aghalayam, an alumna of IIT Madras, who has been appointed as the director-in-charge of the Zanzibar campus of IIT Madras said hundreds of students from across the world applied.
“We are committed to ensuring that the Zanzibar campus is welcoming and has inclusive environment for all students, regardless of one’s gender,” said Ms Aghalayam, a professor in Chemical Engineering and a strong advocate for gender equality in STEM (Science, Technology, English and Mathematics) education.
She said the campus commenced its first academic term this year in October and offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in data science and artificial intelligence, as well as a two-year master’s degree in technology.
She said the fee for selected students is 16,000 US dollar for the four-year undergraduate and 8000 US dollar for master’s degree, while the Deputy Principal Secretary- Zanzibar Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Dr Mwanakhamis Ameir said the academic staff are from India, while process is underway to also hire local lecturers and training.
“IIT Madras is set to create history by establishing an international campus in Zanzibar-Tanzania. The IIT Madras, the top-ranked Educational Institute in the country, has become the first IIT in the country to launch an international campus,” she said.
She said that the programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the fast-paced and ever-evolving field of data science and artificial intelligence (DSAI).
