IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi unveils vision to develop global research hub and nurture talent


Ramola Talwar Badam
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One of the world’s top engineering colleges, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi Abu Dhabi says it has received an “overwhelming response” for admission tests it will conduct this weekend and in April that are open to students from around the world for undergraduate programmes in the UAE.

The first international campus of the much-respected Indian Institute of Technology in Abu Dhabi has completed a year and has a host of plans to nurture talent and establish itself as a global hub of cutting-edge research and development.

Research programmes, executive training programmes for companies, collaborations with the top universities apart from growing its undergraduate courses are part of the agenda for India’s most sought-after engineering school.

From a small batch of 20 Masters students in January last year, the school has grown to about 80 students out of which there are 13 Emiratis in the Bachelor's programme and 12 Emiratis among 17 students in the Master of Technology course. A PhD programme in energy and sustainability was launched last month.

“We have had an overwhelming response,” Dr Shantanu Roy, executive director of IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi told The National. “We want this to be a truly international campus and our vision is to be among the best in the world.”

Students conduct research in energy, sustainability and artificial intelligence with plans to establish research laboratories tackling issues from climate, water and health care.

“With this we will be part of the effort to the UAE’s strategic goals and national sustainability initiatives. That is a challenge and of great scientific interest to academicians like us,” said Dr Roy.

Vision of two governments

The UAE government offers a 100 per cent tuition waiver and a monthly stipend of Dh4,000 to all Emiratis for undergraduate programmes at the institute.

There are 23 IITs in India and the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi was born out of a collaboration of the UAE and Indian governments to provide a world-class learning environment for students, faculty and researchers, foster science, technology, engineering and maths research in the Emirates.

More than 4 million Indians live in the UAE, the largest number of Indian citizens in any country. The interest so far has been among Indians and Emiratis who learnt about the programme in summer school classes organised in the UAE. There are plans for more outreach in UAE schools as well as across the MENA region and Asia.

Establishing an IIT outside India was outlined in a vision statement by President Sheikh Mohamed, then the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces with Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister following the signing of a comprehensive economic partnership several years ago.

“We have got overwhelming support from the UAE government, the Indian government, corporates and local institutions,” Dr Roy said. “Adnoc has been supporting us all through and they have even sponsored 12 of 18 students in the MTech programme.”

Students at the Electrical Engineering laboratory in IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Students at the Electrical Engineering laboratory in IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The institute plans scholarships for international students. Currently scholarships for international students are linked to stellar academic performances.

Dr Roy said the focus will be to set up the research infrastructure and also work with universities including Khalifa University, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Zayed University and Sorbonne University.

Lecture series and workshops including one on carbon capture this month have been scheduled.

Admission tests

Students from the UAE will take the CAET, a common admission entrance test, the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi has curated specially for students from the Emirates and overseas for the undergraduate programmes.

The three-hour tests on February 16 will be conducted in its Abu Dhabi campus, Dubai, Sharjah and New Delhi for undergraduate programmes in energy engineering, computer science, engineering and a newly introduced Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.

The second test is scheduled for April 13. Students can attempt both tests and the higher score will be considered for the final selection. Indian students who live in India need to take a test available in India called the JEE Advanced.

IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi opened one year ago in the UAE capital. Victor Besa / The National
IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi opened one year ago in the UAE capital. Victor Besa / The National

Excitement to be an IITian

The programmes have attracted teenagers recently graduated from UAE high schools and professionals keen on taking leadership roles.

Adnan Al Marri, 35, is studying towards a Master of Technology in energy transition and sustainability, is on an Adnoc scholarship after working for the company for 12 years. The degree gives him practical knowledge and deeper insight into policy.

“My background is petroleum engineering but I can see the direction the world is heading towards decarbonisation and it’s important for me to stay relevant,” said the Abu Dhabi resident. “For almost everything in our life we rely on derivatives from crude and natural gas, this degree gives me the background to understand what is required to go for alternative clean energy. Mr Al Marri also wants to focus on energy economics, policy and planning. Part of an inaugural batch of 20 Masters students last January, he is happy to see the numbers grow.

“I’m excited from the first day and even until today I’m still excited,” he said. “When I found out the institute was the vision of two great leaders of two nations, I thought if my President has a great vision to bring the IIT here, I know it’s the best for me.”

Teenage students said it was their interest in renewable energy that drew them to study at IIT.

“I enjoy laboratory work like the chemistry lab because when you apply the concept in the lab you have a far better understanding of the theory,” said Noora Al Rashdi, 18, a Bachelor in energy engineering student. Proud to have received a waiver from the UAE government, she wants to contribute to the country’s green vision.

“I’m so proud to be studying here because it has a great academic record and because of the partnership between the UAE and India,” she said. “I want to work on projects that contribute to a greener future for our country.”

Dream fulfilled

For Indian citizen Tanvi Parsam, 18, who lives in Abu Dhabi, it has been a long-cherished goal come true.

“I never would have believed I would be in an IIT, it’s like a dream,” she said. “Having an IIT outside India, will change people’s perspective of going to US and Europe. It’s a great opportunity that more students are going to try for. Parents in India and in UAE want to have their children close to home rather than far away in the US or UK.

“The course teaches me to push myself beyond limits and having a cohort of with people different calibre really helps me challenge myself.”

The family of Aryan Jha, 18, from India’s Jaipur state encouraged him to apply to Abu Dhabi as it would open up more opportunities.

“The one-on-one attention students get here is amazing,” he said. “The teacher-student ratio is off the charts. The learning environment is challenging but once you adapt to the pace, it prepares you for the real world, to face actual challenges.”

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1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

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Company profile

Company: Rent Your Wardrobe 

Date started: May 2021 

Founder: Mamta Arora 

Based: Dubai 

Sector: Clothes rental subscription 

Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded 

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

The biog

Favourite car: Ferrari

Likes the colour: Black

Best movie: Avatar

Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy

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While you're here
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for used car buyers
  • Choose cars with GCC specifications
  • Get a service history for cars less than five years old
  • Don’t go cheap on the inspection
  • Check for oil leaks
  • Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
  • Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
  • Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
  • Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
  • If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell

Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com

THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

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Updated: February 14, 2025, 3:00 AM`