Why in the News?

An IIT-Madras campus was inaugurated in Zanzibar on Monday, becoming the first campus of an IIT to be opened abroad.

Context:

• The first IIT campus outside of India was inaugurated on Monday with the opening of the IIT-Madras campus in Zanzibar.
• The pioneering venture is part of the central government’s initiative to project India’s education system onto the global stage.
• The campus is located in Bweleo district, a short distance from Zanzibar Town.
• The Zanzibar campus will benefit from an array of academic collaborations, including study abroad programs, internships with companies, and opportunities at the IIT-Madras campus in Chennai.
• It is open to students of all nationalities.

Key facts about Zanzibar (Tanzania):

• Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometers located off the coast of east-central Africa and a semi-autonomous province of Tanzania.
• It comprises the main island of Unguja (informally referred to as Zanzibar), and Pemba Island, along with numerous smaller islands.
• Zanzibar City, on Unguja, is the archipelago's capital and largest city.
• The official languages of Zanzibar are Swahili and English.
• Zanzibar has a rich history, dating back to the 1st century AD.
• It was once a major center for the trade of spices, slaves, and ivory.
• The archipelago has been ruled by various empires and dynasties over the centuries, including the Portuguese, Omanis, and British.
• In 1964, Zanzibar gained independence from Britain and merged with Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
• Stone Town, the historic center of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The raised sands and sandstones with varied residual deposits are found on Zanzibar and Pemba islands which are similar to the alluvial deposits present on the African mainland.
• It is known for its vast wilderness areas.
• They include the plains of Serengeti National Park, populated by the “big five” game (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino), and Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain.