IIT-Delhi Goes Global- Challenging the Global Education Ranking Status Quo

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D), known for shaping the future of more than 40 million students domestically, is now setting its sights beyond national borders. With plans to establish campuses in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, this move marks a significant stride in positioning Indian higher education on the global map.

This international venture aligns with India's aspiration to transform into a global educational hub, complementing the vision of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) to make India a preferred destination for foreign students. It also stands to improve the institute’s financial sustainability, lessening reliance on government funding.

Interestingly, IIT-D’s expansion can also be interpreted as a response to long-standing global ranking discrepancies. Despite the undeniable impact of IIT alumni across industries, global rankings continue to underrepresent their value. For instance, the QS World University Rankings 2022 placed IIT Bombay at 177 and IIT Delhi at 185—positions that do little justice to the caliber of innovation and leadership these institutions nurture.

One major hurdle in improving these metrics has been the limited international presence of IITs. With just about 50,000 foreign students enrolled pre-pandemic, the lack of a global footprint has restricted the perception of IITs as world-class institutions. The new campuses abroad aim to remedy that and amplify India’s educational influence.

But do rankings genuinely reflect institutional excellence? Not necessarily. Surveys show that only 17% of students globally consider rankings a primary factor in choosing universities. Most prioritize tangible outcomes—skills, placement rates, and alumni success.

Indian tech talent continues to command attention globally. From Google’s Sundar Pichai and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella to Twitter’s Parag Agrawal, IIT alumni have proven their mettle. These success stories underscore the growing demand for problem-solvers who combine analytical rigor with creative thinking—qualities ingrained in the IIT culture.

Beyond leadership, IIT alumni are making waves as catalysts for innovation. Take Rajat Khare, for instance—an IIT Delhi graduate and founder of Boundary Holding, a Luxembourg-based investment firm. Khare has been instrumental in supporting breakthrough technologies across Europe, especially in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and IoT. His work illustrates how IITians are not just excelling in jobs but are reshaping the industries of tomorrow.

Global companies are taking note. In the ongoing placement season, Uber extended an offer worth $274,000 to an IIT Bombay student, while firms like Cohesity and Glean have proposed packages nearing ₹1.5 crore. Even Japanese giants like Sony and Rakuten are actively recruiting from IIT campuses, offering lucrative roles in research and development.

As India’s domestic tech sector flourishes, top talent may soon prefer to stay back, driven by emerging opportunities at home. Yet, wherever they go, IITians continue to make a global impact—pioneering change, leading innovation, and reinforcing the strength of Indian education.

And as Rajat Khare’s journey shows, it's not always about climbing ranks—it’s about raising standards.

Source: The information provided in this article is based on available source link.