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Preeti Aghalayam: From IIT Madras Student to First Woman Director of Zanzibar Campus
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CNBC TV18•30-09-2026, 13:26
Preeti Aghalayam: From IIT Madras Student to First Woman Director of Zanzibar Campus
- •Preeti Aghalayam, an alumna of IIT Madras, has made history as the first woman to lead an IIT campus, taking charge of IIT Madras Zanzibar.
- •She joined IIT Madras in 1991 for Chemical Engineering, later returning as a faculty member in 2010.
- •In 2023, Aghalayam was appointed Director-in-Charge of IIT Madras Zanzibar, the institute's first international campus, and was instrumental in its establishment.
- •Her appointment marked a significant milestone for women in IITs, highlighting the ongoing efforts to improve gender representation in technology institutions.
- •After her tenure in Zanzibar, Aghalayam transitioned to Dean, Global Engagement at IIT Madras, overseeing international engagement activities.
Key Questions Answered
Preeti Aghalayam was appointed Director-in-Charge of IIT Madras Zanzibar in July 2023, becoming the first woman to lead an IIT campus.
After serving as the Director-in-Charge of the Zanzibar campus, Preeti Aghalayam moved into the role of Dean, Global Engagement at IIT Madras, where she oversees the institute's international engagement activities.
IIT Madras Zanzibar officially began conducting academic classes in October 2023, offering undergraduate programs including courses in Chemical Engineering and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
