Union Education Minister inaugurated India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre (AIC) at the IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi campus during his UAE visit. The move expands the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) beyond India, marking a major step in global academic and innovation collaboration.
Aim: To deepen India–UAE cooperation in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, aligning with the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2017).
Key Highlights
Centre’s Role:
- Hub for research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange.
- Strengthens cooperation between Indian & Emirati institutions.
- Expands India’s global education presence.
New Academic Programs at IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi:
- Ph.D. in Energy and Sustainability.
- B.Tech in Chemical Engineering.
- Campus established in 2024 under India–UAE educational cooperation.
Educational Cooperation Initiatives:
- Expansion of Indian curriculum schools in UAE for the diaspora.
- Setting up Atal Innovation Labs in Emirati schools (on the model of India’s Atal Tinkering Labs).
- Student & teacher exchanges, curriculum development, and mutual recognition of qualifications.
- Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Strategic Significance:
- Education is a pillar of the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2017).
- Complements strong economic ties — bilateral trade crossed USD 85 billion (2022–23).
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
Launched: 2016, by NITI Aayog.
Objective: Build an innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem in schools, universities, and industries.
Major Platforms:
- Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs):
- For Classes 6–12; focus on robotics, IoT, 3D printing, AI, electronics.
- Over 10,000 labs across India.
- Atal Incubation Centres (AICs):
- Business incubators in universities/ corporates.
- 72 centres supporting 3,500+ startups, creating 32,000+ jobs.
- Sectoral Innovation Hubs: Focus on HealthTech, FinTech, AgriTech, Drone Tech, Space Tech, EdTech, AR/VR, Food Processing.
- Special focus on women-led start-ups (1000+ supported).
Global Expansion:
- The Abu Dhabi AIC becomes AIM’s first international centre, setting a blueprint for cross-border education–innovation cooperation.
Key Facts
- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India’s former PM.
- IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi Campus: First IIT established outside India; inaugurated in 2024.
- India–UAE Relations:
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2017.
- UAE hosts 3.5+ million Indian diaspora (largest expat community).
- UAE is among India’s top trading partners.
- NEP 2020: Aims for flexible, multidisciplinary education with focus on global linkages.
- Atal Tinkering Labs were introduced in 2016, under AIM, to promote STEM skills in schools.