IIT Bombay is preparing to launch its first international academic centre in Japan by next year, taking its first few steps to become a global presence. This move marks a significant milestone for the institute, which joins other IITs like Delhi and Madras that have already ventured abroad — with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Zanzibar, respectively. However, unlike those who established independent campuses, IIT Bombay has opted for a collaborative approach by partnering with the prestigious, government-supported Tohoku University.
This new joint initiative, called the Tohoku University–IIT Bombay Joint Institute of Excellence, will be constructed in Sendai with the aim to combine India’s deep-rooted academic traditions with Japan’s technological prowess. The centre’s first academic offering will be a dual-degree PhD program, scheduled to begin in 2026, with postgraduate MTech courses to follow.
Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, had the following to say about the collaboration, “This is our first venture abroad, and by next year, we will begin with a joint Ph.D programme. MTech courses will soon follow after.”
While the centre will initially focus on postgraduate and research-based programs, there are currently no plans to offer undergraduate degrees. Instead, the emphasis remains on advanced studies and cutting-edge research, particularly in areas such as disaster resilience, semiconductors, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Sharad Saraf, Chairman of the Board at IIT Bombay, hailed the development as a transformative opportunity. “This isn’t just about sharing classrooms,” he explained. “It’s a bridge. One that will not only strengthen the deep-rooted friendship between India and Japan but also unlock corridors into Japan’s formidable industries and pioneering research labs.
The groundwork for this centre was laid in April 2025, when both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a formal ceremony in Japan. The project has received significant attention, with hopes that it will not only boost student mobility but also deepen cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries.
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Currently, approximately 1,600 Indian students are enrolled in Japanese universities. With this new academic bridge being built, that number is expected to rise. Japanese companies have already shown interest in recruiting talent from the upcoming joint centre, reflecting the strong demand for skilled professionals with cross-border academic exposure.
With this initiative, IIT Bombay is setting a precedent in international academic collaboration, aligning its vision with the evolving landscape of global education and research.
