Indian Academic Institutions to Establish Branches in Dubai
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) are set to expand their horizons, with plans to establish campuses in Dubai.
IIM Ahmedabad Dubai Campus
The upcoming Dubai campus for IIMA will launch in September 2025, offering a full-time one-year MBA program. This marks IIMA's first global expansion and is part of a partnership with the UAE Government’s Department of Economy and Tourism, supported by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan.
Initially, the campus will be located at Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), with plans for a permanent campus by 2029. The MBA program is designed for working professionals and entrepreneurs, requiring GMAT or GRE scores, and incorporates IIMA’s case study learning method.
The initiative aims to serve the Indian diaspora and the broader Middle East business community by providing global-quality education locally.
IIFT Dubai Campus
Regarding IIFT, there is no specific information in the current sources about a Dubai campus announced or discussed by Piyush Goyal or other authorities. The available data focuses only on IIMA’s Dubai campus launch and other trade-related announcements by Goyal.
However, specific details regarding the locations and timelines of the IIFT campuses in Dubai are expected to be disclosed in the near future.
A Strategic Step Forward
The expansion of India's elite academic institutions into the UAE marks a strategic step toward creating more cross-border education opportunities. The move is aimed at nurturing global talent within the region and reflects the growing partnership between the UAE and India.
In 2024, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) inaugurated its first-ever overseas campus in Abu Dhabi. The IIT campus, operated under IIT Delhi, currently offers two undergraduate programmes in computer science and energy engineering for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The alumni of the IIMs include influential global figures such as former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and ex-RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. Several IIMs regularly rank among the top 100 business schools worldwide.
The IIFT, headquartered in New Delhi and established in 1963, has a strong focus on international business and trade. The move was highlighted by Goyal during a media event, further cementing the strong bilateral ties between the UAE and India.
The exact timeline for the establishment of these campuses in Dubai is not specified, but the announcement is another milestone in India-UAE educational collaboration. The move is expected to boost the region's educational landscape and provide opportunities for students and professionals alike.
- The establishment of the IIM Ahmedabad campus in Dubai, set to launch in September 2025, will mark a significant expansion of technology-driven education in partnership with the UAE's Department of Economy and Tourism.
- Leadership from both nations, including Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, will support the collaboration, which aims to foster education-and-self-development and trade opportunities among the Indian diaspora and broader Middle East business community.
- As part of this initiative, the MBA program at the IIM Ahmedabad campus will adopt the renowned case study learning method, inviting students to engage with science-based approaches for solving complex business challenges.
- Meanwhile, although not yet confirmed, there is anticipation for the IIFT campus in Dubai to follow, further enhancing the general-news of growing partnerships between India and the UAE in the fields of education and politics.
- Building on existing successes—such as the IIT's inauguration of its first overseas campus in Abu Dhabi in 2024—these collaborations underscore the importance of scientific advancements, collaboration, and global leadership in shaping the future of trade and business relations between India and the UAE.
