IIT-Madras Zanzibar launches MTech programme in ocean structures with focus on blue economy

Those having a four-year UG degree in Civil Engineering with a minimum of 60 percent marks are eligible to apply.

IIT-Madras Zanzibar campus has launched a new MTech programme in Ocean Structures for the academic year 2024-25.

The new two-year master of technology (MTech) programme is open to candidates of all nationalities and offers two streams — "Offshore and Ship Structures and Port Harbour & Coastal Structures. Stream selection will be based on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at the end of the first semester.

“It is exciting to announce this new programme. Blue economy is a priority area for Zanzibar and the world today, and engineering programmes that will yield skilled human resources in this domain are an urgent need,” Professor Preeti Aghalayam, Dean of School of Engineering and Science and Director-in-charge, Zanzibar campus, IIT Madras, said.

Those with a four-year bachelor's degree in civil engineering with a minimum of 60 percent marks can apply. Applications are open and the last date date is June 20, 2024. Candidates can apply using the link, https://admissions.ge.iitm.ac.in/iitmz-mtechos.

The Master of Technology in Ocean Structures will have a curriculum tailor-made to the needs of the oil & gas and maritime sectors.

It would cover the basics of marine and offshore hydrodynamics, structural design for oil and gas exploration offshore platforms, ports, harbours including port structures and breakwater. The course would equip students with core and elective courses to prepare them for careers in the oil and gas and maritime sectors.

While first, second and fourth semesters will be at IITM Zanzibar Campus, the third semester will be at the Chennai campus.

Selection will be based on marks obtained in UG (50 percent weightage) and screening test and interview (50 percent weightage). Personal interview will be conducted for students clearing the screening test, which and interviews will be conducted online.

IIT-Madras Zanzibar is the first international campus of an IIT. Classes for the first academic year (2023-24) commenced in October 2023. The programmes at IITM Zanzibar are open to students of all nationalities, including Indians.

The other courses currently offered by IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus are a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science and AI and a two-year Master of Technology degree in Data Science and AI.

“This programme opens up new career opportunities for graduate engineers in ocean engineering including niche areas of offshore industry, port and harbour development in the region. The programme is aligned with Maritime India Vision 2047 and will contribute significantly to training professionals,” said Professor S Nallayarasu, Head, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT-Madras, said.