Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Bombay has released a statement debunking the claims of the institute opening a campus in Japan. In an official statement, the spokesperson has clarified that no IIT-B Campus is being set up in Japan. The institute, however, will be setting up a centre with Tohoku University next year.
Earlie, a few notable publications shared that IIT Bombay will be setting a campus in Japan. Notably, two IITs – IIT Madras and IIT Delhi already have or planning to have campuses outside of India.
IIT Madras was the first IIT in the country to do so and has a fully operational campus at Zanzibar in Tanzania. IIT Delhi has also launched a campus in Abu Dhabi. With these two already launched, the news of IIT Bombay campus in Japan was really picked up.
IIT Bombay’s Japan venture
Clarifying the news, IIT Bombay has shared that the centre will be set up with Tohoku University in Japan. At present, the institute will begin by offering PhD courses presently. The centre will eventually expand to also offer joint Masters programme.
Please note, having a centre with a university is different from having a campus. Both IITM and IITD campuses are operated by the respective institutes under the IIT Act. The centre, however, is more akin to a joint venture.