India to Establish IT Centre of Excellence in Jordan

Kuldeep Pisda

17 Dec 2025 — 5 min read

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The Union Cabinet of India has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Jordan. This initiative focuses on information technology skilling and capacity building, marking a significant step in India's efforts to export its expertise in digital technologies to international partners. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, with the announcement made through an official press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on December 16, 2025.

C-DAC, a premier research and development organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), will lead the project. The CoE aims to provide advanced training programs in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development. It will cater primarily to Jordanian professionals, students, and government officials, while also fostering collaboration between Indian and Jordanian tech ecosystems.

Background and Strategic Importance

India and Jordan have maintained strong diplomatic and economic ties since establishing formal relations in 1962. Bilateral trade has grown steadily, reaching approximately $3 billion in recent years, with information technology emerging as a key sector for cooperation. The establishment of the C-DAC CoE builds on existing frameworks, including the India-Jordan Joint Commission Meetings and agreements signed during high-level visits.

C-DAC, founded in 1987, has a proven track record in developing indigenous technologies and conducting skilling programs. Domestically, it operates multiple CoEs in India, training over 100,000 professionals annually through initiatives like the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence and PARAM supercomputing programs. Extending this model to Jordan aligns with India's broader digital diplomacy strategy, which includes similar projects in countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

The approval comes at a time when Jordan is prioritizing digital transformation as part of its Economic Modernization Vision (2023-2025). The kingdom aims to create 1.3 million jobs by 2025, with a significant portion in the digital economy. Indian expertise in cost-effective IT solutions and large-scale skilling is well-suited to support these goals.

Details of the Initiative

The CoE will be established in Amman, Jordan's capital, in partnership with the Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and local educational institutions. The facility is expected to commence operations within the next 18-24 months, following infrastructure setup and curriculum development. Key features include:

State-of-the-art training labs equipped with C-DAC's indigenous hardware and software tools.
Certification programs aligned with global standards, such as those from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and India's National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
Capacity for 5,000 trainees per year, with a mix of short-term workshops, diploma courses, and advanced master's-level programs.
Focus areas: AI/ML, blockchain, IoT, data analytics, ethical hacking, and 5G/6G technologies.

The project will be funded through a combination of Indian government allocations, contributions from MeitY's international cooperation budget, and potential partnerships with Indian IT firms. The total estimated cost is around ₹150 crore over five years, covering setup, operations, and faculty deployment. Indian experts from C-DAC will initially staff 40% of the positions, with a phased transition to local trainers.

"This Centre of Excellence will serve as a beacon of India-Jordan friendship, empowering Jordanian youth with world-class IT skills and opening new avenues for technological collaboration," stated the official communiqué from the Cabinet Secretariat.

Implementation Framework

The rollout will proceed in phases. Phase 1 involves site selection and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with Jordanian authorities, expected by early 2026. C-DAC will collaborate with the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, under which India already trains over 200 Jordanian officials annually in various fields.

Curriculum development will incorporate C-DAC's e-Kranti modules, adapted for regional needs such as Arabic language interfaces and applications relevant to Jordan's public sector digitalization. Online platforms will extend reach to remote areas, mirroring C-DAC's successful Vidyut and GIST programs in India.

Quality assurance mechanisms include joint oversight committees with representatives from both governments, regular audits, and performance metrics tied to trainee employment rates and technology adoption in Jordan.

Expected Impacts on Administration and Public Services

For Jordan, the CoE will bolster administrative capabilities by skilling government employees in digital governance tools. This includes e-governance platforms for citizen services, similar to India's Digital India stack. Trained personnel can implement secure data management systems, reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in public administration.

In the public sector, the initiative supports Jordan's push for smart cities and digital health records. IT-skilled workforce will accelerate projects like the Tawazun economic zone, which aims to attract tech investments. Enhanced capacity in AI could optimize resource allocation in water management and agriculture, critical sectors for Jordan.

From India's perspective, the CoE opens doors for technology exports. C-DAC products like the PARAM Shavak supercomputers and AI chips could find markets in Jordan, generating revenue and showcasing 'Make in India' capabilities. It also positions Indian firms for joint ventures, potentially creating jobs back home through offshored development work.

Broader Regional and Global Implications

This project strengthens India's footprint in the Middle East, a region with growing demand for digital skills amid oil diversification efforts. Jordan serves as a gateway to larger markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where similar CoEs could follow. It aligns with India's G20 commitments on digital public infrastructure, promoting open standards globally.

Capacity building extends beyond training: the CoE will host hackathons, research symposia, and startup incubators. This fosters innovation ecosystems, potentially leading to co-developed solutions for regional challenges like refugee management and climate resilience.

Employment outcomes are projected to be substantial. Based on C-DAC's Indian programs, where 70% of trainees secure IT jobs within six months, the CoE could generate 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in Jordan over a decade. For India, it enhances soft power through people-to-people ties, with alumni networks driving long-term partnerships.

C-DAC's Role and Expertise

Established post the 1986 supercomputer controversy, C-DAC has evolved into a multi-disciplinary R&D hub. It develops mission-critical systems for sectors like defense, healthcare, and agriculture. Notable achievements include the world's first COVID-19 vaccine QR code verifier and indigenous HPC systems deployed in over 50 countries.

In skilling, C-DAC's model emphasizes hands-on learning with real-world projects. Its CoEs in India have upskilled 500,000+ individuals since 2015, contributing to India's 5 million IT workforce addition annually. The Jordan project adapts this scalable model, ensuring high employability through industry linkages.

Partnership Dynamics

The Indian Embassy in Amman will coordinate logistics, while Jordan's Ministry of Digital Economy provides regulatory support. Private sector involvement includes MoUs with Nasscom and Indian IT majors like TCS and Infosys for guest faculty and placements.

Previous successes, such as C-DAC's centres in Rwanda and Nepal, demonstrate viability. In Rwanda, a similar CoE has trained 10,000+ professionals, aiding the country's 'Smart Rwanda' masterplan.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Potential hurdles include cultural adaptation, infrastructure readiness, and funding sustainability. C-DAC plans bilingual programs, local hiring incentives, and revenue models from corporate training to address these.

Geopolitical stability in the region necessitates contingency plans, such as hybrid online-offline delivery. Cybersecurity protocols will protect intellectual property, with data sovereignty clauses in agreements.

Future Roadmap

Post-establishment, the CoE aims to expand to advanced domains like quantum computing by 2030. It will contribute to India-Jordan digital corridor visions, potentially including undersea cable projects for faster connectivity.

Monitoring will track KPIs like trainee throughput, certification pass rates (target: 85%), and tech transfer instances. Annual reports to both governments will ensure alignment with national priorities.

This Cabinet approval underscores India's commitment to South-South cooperation in technology. By empowering Jordan's digital workforce, the C-DAC CoE not only enhances bilateral ties but also contributes to a skilled global talent pool, benefiting administrative efficiency and public service delivery worldwide.

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