IIM Ahmedabad opens first overseas campus in Dubai

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the Dubai campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad on Thursday.

In his address, the Crown Prince said the launch of IIM-A’s first international campus reflects the deep-rooted ties and growing partnership between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India. “The energy and ambition of our youth are the driving forces of Dubai’s future, and by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values to succeed in a rapidly changing international environment, we are empowering them to lead with confidence,” he said.

Calling the event a “great honour”, Mr. Pradhan said it marked another major step in the globalisation of Indian education as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “IIM Ahmedabad Dubai campus will take the best of India to the world. Dubai, today, has provided the perfect launchpad to the ethos of ‘Indian in spirit, global in outlook’ by hosting the IIM Ahmedabad international campus,” he wrote on social media, adding that he was grateful to the Crown Prince for adding a “glorious leaf” to India-UAE knowledge collaboration.

During the visit, Mr. Pradhan met Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE. A statement by the Union Education Ministry said both leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in higher education and agreed to further strengthen knowledge bridges, with knowledge, innovation and research as central pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“The discussions also focused on joint research in critical and emerging areas, capacity building, and promoting two-way cultural and academic exchanges. Mr. Pradhan thanked Mr. Al Awar for his appreciation of the contributions of Indian educational institutions in Dubai and his continued support for establishing more top-quality Indian campuses in the UAE,” the Ministry said. “Reaffirming that India is a global hotspot of talent and the UAE a global economic hub, both sides underscored their shared commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties and advancing mutual priorities,” it added.