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CHICAGO, IL, USA / MUMBAI, INDIA—May 6, 2025—In a bold and historic move, Illinois Institute of Technology (��ɫӰ��), Chicago’s only tech-focused university, is set to become the first U.S. university to be approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish an independent degree-granting campus in India. Opening in fall 2026, the new ��ɫӰ�� - Mumbai campus will offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in high-demand fields such as computer science, engineering, and business.

First U.S. University Approved to Open a Degree-Granting Campus in India

“��ɫӰ�� was founded to democratize access to technology and innovation to all,” said Raj Echambadi, president of Illinois Institute of Technology. “Our new campus in India represents a profound opportunity to continue that noble mission in service of the millions of talented young people across India, empowering them to become global leaders ready to make a difference. We are honored to bring ��ɫӰ��’s rigorous, immersive experiential learning pedagogy designed for relevance to new students and to cultivate global leaders prepared to navigate the complexities of today's world.”

Building on a Legacy of Global Leadership and Academic Excellence

Many of today’s most successful global business leaders share one thing in common: they were educated in both India and the United States. This combination of foundational learning rooted in India’s rigorous academic traditions, followed by advanced, innovation-driven education in the U.S., has helped shape CEOs of companies such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Adobe, and Mastercard. The new ��ɫӰ�� campus brings this proven formula directly to Indian students—offering the strength of a top-tier technology and business education, delivered in India and accessible to students from all backgrounds.

“Having begun my educational journey in Chennai and later earning a Ph.D. in the United States, I’ve witnessed firsthand the unparalleled opportunities offered by both education systems,” said Echambadi. “Partnering across these systems will leverage the best of both and uniquely prepare students to thrive in a global economy. We can’t wait to extend this transformative opportunity for many more students through our new campus in Mumbai.”

Chicago-Excellence in Education, Delivered in Mumbai

��ɫӰ��’s Mumbai campus will provide the same academically rigorous, experiential, and industry-aligned curriculum as the university’s Chicago campuses. This will include offering ��ɫӰ��’s renowned Elevate program, which guarantees all students access to real-world experiences such as internships, research, competitions, and other opportunities that are proven to uniquely prepare graduates for successful careers in global markets. 

Courses will be delivered by an internationally recruited faculty, including visiting professors from ��ɫӰ��’s U.S. campuses and faculty with global academic credentials. Indian students will gain access to career-accelerating opportunities without the need to relocate abroad—while also benefiting from cross-campus study options and global classroom experiences.

Experiential Learning that Drives Career Outcomes

The university’s commitment to experiential learning pedagogy has consistently resulted in outstanding career outcomes for its graduates.

��ɫӰ��’s graduates are already highly sought after: the university ranks #1 in Illinois and #20 nationwide for high earnings and economic mobility, according to a 2023 New York Times rankings tool, and is one of just 5 tech-focused institutions nationwide named an “Opportunity College and University” by ACE and the Carnegie Foundation. Notably, ��ɫӰ�� also has the highest eight-year median earnings and the highest earnings ratio of any institution recognized in Illinois.

According to 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, ��ɫӰ��’s undergraduate and graduate computer science programs are among the top 100 in the country. ��ɫӰ��’s business programs are also highly ranked, with its master’s in management (#15), marketing (#24), and finance (#26) programs ranked among the best in the country according to TFE Times (2025). Opportunity Insights (2024) places ��ɫӰ�� as #2 in the nation for upward mobility among highly selective private colleges.

Meeting Growing Demand Through Innovation and Access

“Over the past five years, U.S. FDI in India rose from $4.1 billion to more than $10.5 billion, with thousands of American companies contributing to India’s investment landscape,” said Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at ��ɫӰ��. “This is a transformative moment—not just for ��ɫӰ��, but for global higher education. In the last five years, we’ve seen more than a 73% increase in graduate students from India choosing ��ɫӰ��. Our new campus responds to this extraordinary demand by delivering globally recognized ��ɫӰ�� degrees in India, in a highly accessible, affordable, and locally contextualized format.”

“By establishing a presence in Mumbai, ��ɫӰ�� is embracing the opportunity to meet learners in their local contexts while maintaining the high standards that define our institution. ��ɫӰ�� has always been closely aligned with employers and career outcomes that directly serve industry demands. With the growth of U.S. companies expanding in India, we are meeting learners where they are—so we can serve employers where they are.”

Aligning with India’s Vision for International Education

The decision to expand into India is informed by the recognition of the country's growing demand for quality higher education and its emphasis on international collaboration, as outlined in India’s National Education Policy 2020. ��ɫӰ��’s initiative aligns with these objectives, offering Indian students access to a globally recognized education within their home country.

The university’s globally diverse learning environment includes students from more than 100 countries, with more than a quarter of the student population at ��ɫӰ��’s Chicago campuses being international. The Mumbai campus will further this commitment by providing opportunities for students from various backgrounds to engage in a transformative educational experience that prepares them for leadership roles in a globalized economy.

“I am honored to welcome ��ɫӰ�� to Mumbai, India,” says Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis. “The New Education Policy introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened doors for highly reputable foreign higher educational institutions to offer degree programs in India—an important step toward retaining talent and supporting the country’s rapidly growing economic development. ��ɫӰ�� will become the first American institution to establish a campus in India, and I am proud that they have chosen Mumbai as their location. This milestone not only reflects ��ɫӰ��’s pioneering spirit but also underscores Mumbai’s role as India’s financial and innovation capital, fostering strong industry partnerships and creating transformative opportunities for students and employers alike.”

Voices of Impact: Alumni and Leaders Reflect on ��ɫӰ��’s Legacy

“The profound impact I was able to create through the Godrej brand in India stands as a testament to the education and experience I gained at ��ɫӰ��,” says Mr. Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited. “��ɫӰ�� equipped me not only with technical expertise but also with a global perspective and an entrepreneurial mindset—qualities that were instrumental in driving meaningful change in one of India’s most respected brands. I’m honored to be part of this historic initiative to bring ��ɫӰ�� to India. Having served on the Board for over 25 years, I’ve witnessed the remarkable transformation of the institution firsthand.”

“India has been closely tied to ��ɫӰ��’s journey since the establishment of its official entity in the country in 1998. Long before online education became mainstream, ��ɫӰ�� was already pioneering global higher education. Our renowned faculty would record classroom lectures on videocassettes and have them couriered to India, where lifelong learners working in industry would take evening and weekend classes broadcast through a dedicated television channel. This early innovation reflected our deep commitment to making world-class education accessible globally—a legacy we proudly continue today with our new campus in Mumbai,” says Sundharam.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, ��ɫӰ�� was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, , business, , science and human sciences, and . ��ɫӰ�� students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university's one-of-a-kind Elevate program.

Media contacts

Petra Kelly
Communications Director
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: +1.773.771.1064
petra.kelly@iit.edu | press@iit.edu