External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar launches IITM Global to make IIT Madras world’s first Multinational University
Chennai | Campuskatta News : External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today launched the IITM Global Research Foundation, a landmark international initiative of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), marking a decisive step towards transforming IIT Madras into the world’s first multinational university.
The launch positions IIT Madras as a globally networked hub for education, research, innovation, startups and entrepreneurship, significantly expanding its international footprint.
🌍 IITM Global: India’s Academic Gateway to the World
IITM Global has been conceived as a strategic, scalable and sustainable global platform that will take IIT Madras’ academic excellence and innovation ecosystem to international markets. The initiative will enable global research collaborations, startup expansion, technology transfer and international academic programmes.
Alongside the launch, Dr. S. Jaishankar also inaugurated the ‘IITM Festival Fortnight’, which includes:
- Open House (public access to labs and innovation centres)
- Shaastra 2026 (2–6 January 2026) – IIT Madras’ annual technical festival
- Saarang 2026 (8–12 January 2026) – IIT Madras’ annual cultural festival
🎙️ Dr Jaishankar on India’s Global Engagement
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted India’s approach to global engagement, stating that nations grow by strengthening themselves domestically and then engaging internationally. He emphasized that India’s philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” reflects openness rather than defensiveness.
He also cited the IIT Madras campus in Tanzania as an example of how Indian foreign policy leverages academic institutions to create global impact.
During a fireside chat with students, Dr. Jaishankar underlined the importance of clear and honest communication in international relations and expressed pride in India’s civilisational heritage and democratic foundations.
🤝 Global Partnerships and MoUs
As part of the IITM Global rollout, IIT Madras has signed high-impact MoUs with international partners across:
- 🇺🇸 United States – 3 MoUs
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom – 1 MoU
- 🇩🇪 Germany – 3 MoUs
- 🇦🇪 Dubai – 3 MoUs
- 🌏 Asia-Pacific (Singapore & Malaysia) – 3 MoUs
- 🌍 India-for-Global Initiative – 6 MoUs
These partnerships focus on joint research, startup collaboration, industry engagement, talent exchange and deep-tech innovation.
🎓 IIT Madras Leadership on Vision
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said that IITM Global follows a four-pronged strategy:
- Taking IIT Madras technologies to global markets
- Joint development of international research projects
- Supporting IIT Madras startups abroad
- Attracting foreign investment into Indian startups
Initially, IITM Global will establish presence in five global locations, including the United States, Dubai, Malaysia and Germany, with plans for expansion based on success.
🚀 Driving Innovation with Global Impact
Designed as a plug-and-play global framework, IITM Global will support:
- Startup incubation and scale-up
- International academic programmes and online courses
- Advanced research in AI, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity, Space Technology, Energy, Health Tech and Green Tech
- IP commercialisation and technology transfer
With 18 academic departments, 15 Centres of Excellence, 23 research centres and nearly 100 advanced laboratories, IIT Madras already hosts one of the world’s most comprehensive R&D ecosystems.
🌐 A Global Future for IIT Madras
By enhancing employability, fostering entrepreneurship and enabling innovation at a global scale, IITM Global is set to redefine how the world engages with Indian higher education, reinforcing IIT Madras’ position as a global leader in technology and research.
