Dubai strengthens its status as global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have signed a landmark agreement to boost deep-tech research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Dubai.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), India’s top-ranked engineering institute, is set to launch a new flagship Centre in Dubai for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in early 2025, specialised in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), data science, robotics, and sustainable energy. It will also create a new bridge to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The institute’s plans to establish its first international flagship Centre in Dubai has been facilitated through an agreement between IIT Madras and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The Centre, the first of its kind established under IIT Madras’ new entity IITM Global, will drive research, innovation, IP licensing, and technology transfer in key priority areas for Dubai, such as 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 was signed by Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC) and Prof Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean, Global Engagement of IIT Madras, at Gitex Global.

The Centre will serve as a key bridge to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, inspired by the city’s visionary leadership and underpinned by the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 by focusing on key sectors such as higher education, manufacturing, financial services and entrepreneurship.

This move is also aligned with Dubai’s ambition to become a globally-leading hub for research and development, as evidenced by the recently announced Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Program, which was established with the aim of supporting key economic sectors such as AI and robotics, and creating new opportunities for growth, investment, and collaborations.

With IIT Madras ranked as India’s top engineering institute, the IITM Global Dubai Centre will leverage its renowned programmes and expertise to deliver high-calibre specialised upskilling and training in association with higher education institutions in Dubai in the four pillars of excellence to drive entrepreneurship, employability, research and innovation.

IIT Madras has also brought 12 deep tech start-ups to participate in Gitex Global, demonstrating the high calibre of the educational institute, which is ranked number one overall in India among all higher education entities, thanks to its excellence in technical education, advanced research and entrepreneurship.

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, represents an important milestone to position Dubai as a global leader in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai’s status as a premier global hub for talent and innovation, 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.

Through our partnership, we aim to increase the levels of research and development conducted in Dubai and attract top global talent and drive the growth of deep-tech startups.

In doing so, we will solidify Dubai’s role as a global gateway for technology, fostering lasting economic impact and delivering the bold vision of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”

Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean of Global Engagement, IIT Madras, said: “We are excited to partner with Dubai in launching IITM Global’s first international flagship Centre which is a pivotal moment in our vision of taking IIT Madras global.

This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to expand the global footprint of IIT Madras and bring our expertise in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to Dubai’s dynamic ecosystem. 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. The opening of this Centre will not only extend our research excellence to an international audience but also foster strong connections with Dubai’s thriving innovation ecosystem. Aligned with Dubai’s visionary leadership, IITM Global Dubai will play a crucial role in driving entrepreneurship, upskilling talent, and contributing to a knowledge-based economy.”