Sri Lanka emerges as a potential location for the establishment of the third offshore campus of the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), following an announcement by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the 2024 Budget, signaling a significant stride in bilateral educational cooperation.
In a significant development in bilateral educational collaboration, Sri Lanka is poised to host the third offshore campus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), marking a milestone in the expansion of India’s premier technical education institutions beyond its borders.
The proposal for an IIT campus in Sri Lanka, initially unveiled in the 2024 Budget by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has gained traction, with the Sri Lankan government engaging in discussions with IIT Madras to materialize the ambitious initiative.
Sources reveal that a high-level delegation recently visited IIT Madras’ Chennai campus to explore collaboration opportunities and discuss the potential roadmap for the proposed campus in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The discussions encompassed areas of engagement and potential avenues for partnership, highlighting the mutual commitment to advancing technological education and innovation.
Confirming the preliminary talks, a spokesperson from IIT Madras acknowledged the ongoing dialogue with Sri Lankan authorities, emphasizing the institution’s interest in establishing a presence in the country. If realized, the Sri Lanka campus would mark IIT Madras’ second international venture, following the establishment of an offshore campus in Tanzania’s Zanzibar last year.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader efforts to promote educational exchange and strengthen ties with partner nations, with IITs exploring opportunities to set up campuses in various regions, including the UAE and the UK. Reflecting a shared vision for knowledge exchange and global prosperity, collaborations between IITs and international partners underscore the transformative potential of technical education in driving socio-economic development and fostering innovation on a global scale.
As discussions progress and feasibility studies are conducted, the potential establishment of an IIT campus in Sri Lanka holds promise for advancing educational excellence, fostering cross-cultural exchange, and nurturing a new generation of technical talent poised to shape the future of both nations and beyond.
