IIT Delhi, Sri Lanka eye stronger partnership in education and research

IIT Delhi has proposed establishing a “Sri Lanka Academic and Research Hub” to deepen cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation with Sri Lankan institutions.

The proposal was discussed on Oct 17 during Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya’s visit to the institute.

Amarasuriya, on a three-day official trip to India, met IIT Delhi’s leadership to explore new opportunities for academic collaboration and student exchange.

“My main purpose was to see how we can strengthen our collaboration. IIT Delhi has already collaborated with Sri Lankan universities,” she said.

“We have also set ourselves some ambitious targets in the education and IT sectors. I am looking at ways to strengthen the relationship,” she added.

The proposed academic and research hub aims to serve as a platform for joint programs, capacity-building initiatives, and faculty and student exchanges between the two countries.

It would also connect Sri Lankan universities with IIT Delhi’s research ecosystem and global network.

During her visit, the prime minister interacted with Prof Arvind Nema, Deputy Director (operations), and Prof Anil Verma, Dean of International Programs, along with faculty members, international students, and education-focused startups.

Prof Nema said IIT Delhi was eager to welcome more Sri Lankan students and expand collaborative academic programs.

“The Institute already has a few students from Sri Lanka. We would like to further strengthen collaborative efforts for capacity building. Sri Lankan students are welcome to pursue Master's and PhD degrees at IIT Delhi and BTech at our international campus in Abu Dhabi,” he said.

“A few dedicated scholarships funded by the Sri Lankan government for their students aspiring to pursue Master's and PhD degrees at IIT Delhi would be a catalyst in furthering capacity building,” he added.

Prof Verma presented IIT Delhi’s global outreach initiatives and highlighted the potential of the proposed “Sri Lanka Academic and Research Hub” to foster knowledge exchange and innovation.

He also shared details about IIT Delhi’s academic infrastructure, research achievements, and global ranking performance.

Amarasuriya later toured IIT Delhi’s Research and Innovation Park, where startups and student innovators showcased technology-driven educational tools and STEM learning models.

The visit underscored both countries’ growing commitment to advancing academic and scientific collaboration, with a shared focus on research-driven education and regional capacity building.