Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

About

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) is a premier public technical university, renowned for its excellence in engineering, technology, and applied sciences. It is particularly distinguished for its strong programs in Civil Engineering, Water Resources, and Earthquake Engineering, building on a legacy as one of Asia's oldest technical institutions. For international students, IIT Roorkee offers a welcoming environment with an active International Relations Office that facilitates exchange programs, summer schools, and provides comprehensive support, including English-taught programs across various disciplines. The university fosters a vibrant academic and cultural experience, with dedicated services to assist international students in their academic and social integration. A distinctive characteristic is its historical significance as the first engineering college established in the British Empire.

Background

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee or IITR) is a technical university located in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. It is the oldest engineering institution in India. It was founded as the College of Civil Engineering in 1847 during East India Company rule in India by James Thomason, the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western Provinces in which Roorkee was located; its purpose was to train officers and surveyors employed in the construction of the Ganges Canal. In 1854, after the completion of the canal and Thomason's death, it was renamed the Thomason College of Civil Engineering by Proby Cautley, the designer and projector of the canal. It was renamed University of Roorkee in 1949, and again renamed IIT Roorkee in 2001. The institution has 22 academic departments covering Engineering, Applied Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences and Management programs with an emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.

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