Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has announced its approval from India's University Grants Commission to open a new campus in Mumbai. This development marks Illinois Tech as the first American university authorized to establish a degree-granting campus in India. The Mumbai campus is scheduled to begin enrolling students in fall 2026, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as computer science, engineering, and business.
"Illinois Tech has always operated at the intersection of innovation, opportunity, and global industry demand," stated Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi. "This initiative is a bold and forward-looking investment in the future of American competitiveness—one that strengthens our mission, expands access to high-impact education, and connects U.S. and global employers to a broader, globally educated pipeline of industry-ready STEM talent."
The expansion comes amid growing U.S. foreign direct investment in India, which increased from $4.1 billion to over $10.5 billion within five years. Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Illinois Tech, emphasized the transformative nature of this move for global higher education: "In the past five years, we’ve seen a more than 73% increase in graduate students from India choosing Illinois Tech."
The new campus will feature an experiential curriculum similar to that offered at Illinois Tech's Chicago location. Courses will be taught by faculty recruited globally, including professors from Chicago.
By establishing a presence in Mumbai, Illinois Tech aims to meet local learners' needs while maintaining its educational standards aligned with employer demands. Sundharam remarked on this approach: "We are meeting learners where they are—so we can serve employers where they are."
Planning for the Mumbai campus began over two years ago as part of Illinois Tech’s strategy rooted in expanding access through technology and innovation. The university has had a presence in India since 1998 when it pioneered distance learning initiatives.
Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited—a key figure associated with this initiative—highlighted his support: “I’m honored to be part of this historic initiative to bring Illinois Tech to India.”
Shri Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago commented on the collaboration's alignment with India's National Education Policy 2020: “By facilitating access to cutting-edge STEM education for students from all backgrounds...this pioneering collaboration is expected to empower India’s youth.”
Mallik Sundharam expressed gratitude towards Indian authorities for enabling this expansion: “Through visionary leadership reflected in the National Education Policy 2020...India is setting a global benchmark by welcoming high-quality international institutions.”
Illinois Institute of Technology continues its commitment toward democratizing experiential learning opportunities worldwide while ensuring future generations emerge equipped with essential skills across various disciplines.