The seeds of the venture were sown by Benjamin Mkapa, the third president of Tanzania when he was the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, with the support of Jakaya M. Kikwete, the fourth president of Tanzania when he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The establishment of the university symbolizes the long-standing partnership between Tanzania and India as part implementation of the South–South cooperation.

The university commenced by establishing the College of Medicine which was inaugurated on 17 September 1997 by the prime minister of India, shri.I.K.

IMTU was among the leading top University in Tanzanian and ensures quality education by abiding to all rules and regulations set by TCU.

Like any other private university in Tanzania, IMTU is governed by a Board of Trustees (constituted by the Vignan Educational Foundation of India, the owner and founder) and has a Council and a Senate.

It will establish a directorate of postgraduate programmes as well as an Institute of Allied Health (and Technological) Sciences in its five-year strategic plan.

There are two deputy vice chancellors (for academics and administration), as well as a dean (Faculty of Medicine), and heads of departments.

In accordance with TCU directives, IMTU is in the process of re-organizing its organizational and functional structures to comply with the provisions of the Tanzania Universities Act of 2005, including having a new charter.