University of Roorkee

About

The University of Roorkee, established in 1847, holds the distinction of being the first engineering college in the British Empire, setting a precedent for technical education in India. Academically, it was highly regarded for its pioneering work in engineering and applied sciences, with particularly strong programs in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Water Resources Management. While specific dedicated international student offices were less formalized than in modern institutions, its reputation attracted students from various countries, who engaged in its rigorous academic and research environment. Its transformation into IIT Roorkee in 2001 built upon this legacy, continuing to foster international collaboration and support. A distinctive characteristic was its foundational role in establishing engineering education across the subcontinent.

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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