IIT Madras to launch new research centre in Dubai by 2025 in collaboration with DET
Researchers from IITM will provide best practices to the Dubai R&D ecosystem
Dubai: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), a top-ranked engineering institute, will establish a research, innovation, and entrepreneurship centre in Dubai by early 2025.
This international flagship centre, launched in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), was formalised during GITEX Global. The centre will focus on AI, data science, robotics, and sustainable energy technologies and will be marketed as part of IITM Global’s offering. It will also support the international scale-up of deep-tech growth stage start-ups.
The agreement, signed by Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation, and Prof Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean of Global Engagement at IIT Madras, marks the first such facility under IITM Global.
The centre will serve as a key bridge to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, underpinned by the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033.
Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), said, “The launch of the IITM flagship Centre in Dubai and our wider strategic partnership with the institute represent an important milestone in positioning Dubai as a global leader in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”
“The agreement underscores Dubai’s rapid economic, educational, and technological advancements. This collaboration will build on IIT Madras’ global reputation and cutting-edge expertise to accelerate breakthrough advancements in AI, robotics, data science, and sustainable energy right here in Dubai,” she added.
This move also aligns with Dubai’s ambition to become a globally-leading hub for research and development.
Prof Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean of Global Engagement at IIT Madras, said, “By contributing to key sectors like AI, data science, and sustainable technologies, we aim to foster innovation and create impactful opportunities for the next generation of global talent.”
He added, “The opening of this centre will extend our research excellence to an international audience and foster strong connections with Dubai’s thriving innovation ecosystem. Aligned with Dubai’s visionary leadership, IITM Global Dubai will drive entrepreneurship, upskill talent, and contribute to a knowledge-based economy.”
Through this agreement, DET said it would facilitate connections between IITM Global and prospective corporate partners, including collaborations with key stakeholders such as the Dubai Future Foundation. IITM Global will host seminars, workshops, and conferences with local universities and global institutions. It will also deploy qualified faculty, researchers, and experts from its global network to lead and jointly deliver projects and provide best practices to the Dubai R&D ecosystem.
DET and IITM Global will collaborate on initiatives to help Dubai-based start-ups grow in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This includes providing mentorship, business development support, and access to capital. The new centre will also create global entrepreneurship networks to attract tech companies to Dubai and connect DET with start-ups interested in expanding to the region, DET said.
This partnership will further strengthen the economic and social ties between Dubai and India. In the first half of 2024, Indian businesses led new company registrations at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and India remained Dubai’s top source of international visitors.