Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) announced a major expansion of its global collaborations on Friday, forging partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, and industry leaders in Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the United States. The initiative underscores the institute’s strategic efforts to enhance international research, innovation, skilling, and startup ecosystems.
The MoUs were signed during the inauguration of the IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, which was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Speaking about the initiative, Jaishankar highlighted its focus on strengthening IIT Madras’ global outreach and promoting collaborations across diverse sectors.
In Germany, IIT Madras signed three agreements, including with Technische Universitat Dresden and global optics company Carl Zeiss, which will establish its first innovation hub outside Germany at the institute. In Malaysia, partnerships were forged with the Advanced Semiconductor Academy (ASEM) to enhance semiconductor talent and skill development, along with agreements with the Aisling Group. Singapore-based collaboration through GATES APAC aims to support Indian deep-tech startups entering ASEAN markets.
The UAE engagements included MoUs with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the World Government Summit, MCA Gulf, and AGNA Capitals, aligning with Dubai’s D33 economic agenda to promote academic research and startup innovation. The UK partnership was formalized with Durham University, while in the US, IIT Madras partnered with CA Startups, CFO Bridge, Stages Consulting, and Rutgers University.
Domestic collaborations were also expanded, with agreements signed with Indian autonomous organizations such as MEITY and NCERT, along with multiple Indian startups and companies.
During the event, Jaishankar also visited the IIT Madras campus for Festival Fortnight, interacting with students and commending their interest in global affairs. He further toured the space startup Agnikul Cosmos, praising the team for their engineering, manufacturing, and software expertise in designing orbital-class launch vehicles.
Through these initiatives, IIT Madras is reinforcing its position as a global hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, bridging international knowledge networks with India’s academic and startup ecosystems.
