IIT Madras Makes History with First Woman Director at Zanzibar Campus

In a groundbreaking achievement, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has not only established its first offshore campus in Zanzibar but has also made history by appointing its first-ever woman director. Preeti Aghalayam, an esteemed alumna of IIT Madras, has been selected as the director-in-charge of the Zanzibar campus, marking a significant step towards gender inclusivity in the prestigious institution. The inauguration of the Zanzibar campus, scheduled for October, is a momentous occasion for IIT Madras, as it becomes the first IIT to establish an international campus. The signing of a memorandum of understanding between India and Tanzania has paved the way for this transformative venture. Aghalayam, a chemical engineering graduate from IIT Madras, expressed her deep sense of honor in being a part of this monumental initiative. She highlighted the importance of promoting gender balance and acknowledged the substantial representation of women in Zanzibar, inspiring the need for a mindful approach in establishing the campus. Having completed her BTech from IIT Madras and PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Aghalayam has excelled in her career as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and as faculty at IIT Bombay. Since joining IIT Madras in 2010, she has been a professor in the Chemical Engineering department. Her exceptional contributions have garnered recognition, and she was recently honored as one of the 75 Women in STEM by the Principal Scientific Advisor's office. Beyond her academic achievements, Aghalayam is an avid marathon runner, blogger, and advocate for women in science. She believes that society should embrace young women making their own choices and confront the biases that women in STEM fields face. In an interview with SheThePeople.TV, she emphasized the need for greater openness and support for women pursuing careers in science and technology. As the Zanzibar campus embarks on its journey, with Preeti Aghalayam at the helm, it sets a powerful precedent for gender equality in the realm of higher education. With this groundbreaking achievement, IIT Madras reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive and progressive academic environment, empowering women to excel in STEM fields and beyond.