The IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar has opened applications for its full-time undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs for the academic year 2026. Prospective students can find information regarding eligibility criteria, application deadlines, test preparation, and campus facilities on the admissions website at admissions.iitmz.ac.in. The screening examination for the MTech program is set for April 26, 2026, while the screening for the BS program will take place on June 6, 2026, at various centers in India and abroad. The deadline for applications for the BS program is April 30, and for the MTech courses, it is April 15.
Located in Tanzania, this campus is the first international branch established by any of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and currently hosts over 129 students from diverse backgrounds. Approximately 51% of the student body hails from Tanzania, with additional representation from several African nations, including Ethiopia, Zambia, and Kenya.
Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Professor V Kamakoti, the Director of IIT Madras, expressed pride in establishing the first international IIT campus in Zanzibar. He noted the overwhelming support from the Zanzibar government and local community, praising the performance of both students and faculty. He encouraged potential applicants from around the globe to consider the full-time degree programs in advanced engineering and technology offered at IIT Madras Zanzibar.
In January 2026, the campus transitioned to new leadership with Professor Prabhu Rajagopal assuming the role of director-in-charge. An esteemed alumnus of IIT Madras and Imperial College London, he has been honored with the 2024 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize and is recognized for his ability to transform research into successful entrepreneurial ventures.
Professor Rajagopal announced that the inaugural group of M.Tech students specializing in Data Science and AI graduated during last year’s convocation, and preparations are underway to welcome the first cohort of PhD scholars soon. He mentioned that both students and faculty have actively participated in various academic and industrial engagements in Tanzania and beyond, including conferences, workshops, internships, and collaborative research initiatives. Notably, the graduating M.Tech class of 2025 achieved a 100% placement rate in industry.
Students from the Zanzibar campus have secured internships with notable organizations like SuperDoll, Zantel, and Airtel, and various scholarships, including those from the Airtel Africa Foundation, have facilitated increased access to high-quality education.
Faculty members at the Zanzibar campus have shared their research at prestigious global conferences such as ICML, ICLR, and IEEE events. The campus has also hosted industry-themed events, innovation conferences, faculty exchanges, and start-up hackathons in collaboration with organizations like UNDP and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Furthermore, the construction of the permanent campus at the Fumba peninsula is underway, with a new hostel facility inaugurated in January 2026.
