Many students in Ethiopia are studying engineering and technology in virtual classrooms, some of their teachers seating in the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) which is helping that country become tech-savvy. The idea to empower Ethiopia's university students was mooted by its ambassador to India and even its prime minister was eager to have an association with IIT Delhi. M. Balakrishnan, dean of post-graduate studies at IIT Delhi, explained that the Government of Ethiopia is working on rapid expansion in field of education but lacks the required infrastructure; and that the government is looking forward to this association.
He said that Ehtiopia has set a target of producing 10,000 science and engineering students at the higher education level in next five years or so, and for this it has availed of the expertise of the IIT-Delhi as one of the partners. It wants to become technology-savvy and that IIT Delhi is the facilitator. The elite institute is delivering the courses via a two-way video/audio link. At least 46 faculty members are involved in the project and the IIT-Delhi offers up to 70 hours per week of instructions. There are around 50 students in each semester in each course.
