Strengthening Knowledge Diplomacy: Dharmendra Pradhan’s Strategic Education Engagement In The UAE

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 17:47 IST

A highlight of the visit was the formal inauguration of the IIM Ahmedabad Dubai campus by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates Atal Incubation Centre at the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus. Image/X

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Dharmendra Pradhan made a high-impact visit to the United Arab Emirates aimed at deepening India-UAE cooperation in higher education, research, innovation, and institutional globalisation. 

His engagements reflect a strong push toward transforming India into a global education hub and reinforcing people-to-people ties under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Bilateral Meeting with UAE Education Leadership

In a key bilateral meeting, Pradhan met with Dr Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar, the UAE’s Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The two leaders reviewed the growing synergy in the education sector and reaffirmed their commitment to expand cooperation in knowledge, innovation, and scientific research.

Critical issues discussed included joint research in emerging technologies, capacity building, and two-way academic and cultural exchanges. Pradhan also expressed gratitude for the UAE’s continued support in hosting Indian educational institutions and for its openness toward facilitating more top-tier Indian institutions in the region.

Inauguration of IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai Campus

One of the visit’s standout moments was the formal inauguration of the IIM Ahmedabad Dubai campus by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Pradhan hailed this as a historic leap toward the globalisation of Indian higher education, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to position India as an international knowledge powerhouse.

The new IIM campus embodies the philosophy of being “Indian in spirit, global in outlook", and positions Dubai as a strategic gateway for India’s educational institutions to reach global learners and business ecosystems. It also sets a precedent for other Indian institutions to expand globally and contribute to international educational mobility.

Atal Incubation Centre at IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi Campus

Pradhan on Wednesday inaugurated the Atal Incubation Centre at the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus. It is the first-ever Atal Incubation Centre hosted in an Indian university overseas, the minister stated on microblogging site X. He added that he took a tour of the Abu Dhabi campus of IIT Delhi and interacted with the students.

“Glad to inaugurate Atal Incubation Centre at the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus, a first-ever AIC hosted in an Indian university overseas. The AIC at IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi will nurture joint start-ups and research-led ventures by both Indian and UAE innovators and also promote bilateral collaboration in deep tech, AI, clean energy, healthcare and other sectors of mutual importance. The AIC providing world-class incubation facilities will also act as a gateway to the middle-east markets for Indian start-ups and innovators," the education minister posted on X.

Roundtable with Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Dubai

Pradhan also held a roundtable with academic leaders from Indian HEIs operating in Dubai. Discussions revolved around institutional strategy, pedagogical innovation, and the importance of moving beyond academic publication to commercialisation of research outputs—a key aspect of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

He called for establishing “Brand India" as a mark of trust in global education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and encouraged HEIs to be at the forefront of integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern, market-driven solutions.

Cultural Diplomacy: #EkPedMaaKeNaam in UAE

In a symbolic gesture of environmental and cultural diplomacy, the minister participated in the #EkPedMaaKeNaam initiative by planting a Ghaf tree—the national tree of the UAE—at the Indian Consulate in Dubai. The Ghaf, a symbol of stability, resilience, and peace, will now stand as a living monument of Indo-UAE friendship. 

The initiative ties into India’s broader commitment to environmental consciousness and honoring maternal legacy through green action.

Strategic Significance

India and the UAE have built a strong multidimensional partnership encompassing trade, diaspora relations, technology, and education. The UAE hosts over 3.5 million Indians, the largest expatriate population in the Gulf, and is a key destination for Indian students and professionals. With India aiming to attract 1 million foreign students by 2030 under its Study in India programme, reciprocal initiatives like establishing campuses abroad are critical to India’s soft power strategy.

Moreover, the NEP 2020 actively promotes internationalisation of Indian higher education, allowing prestigious institutions like IITs and IIMs to open campuses overseas. The IIM-A campus in Dubai is only the second such development, after IIT Madras’s campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

India’s Educational Diplomacy

Dharmendra Pradhan’s UAE visit signals a deepening of educational diplomacy, global outreach, and bilateral innovation partnerships. It reflects India’s intent to not only export high-quality education but also co-create knowledge ecosystems globally. 

As India redefines its educational and research identity, such engagements are vital to shaping a future where Indian institutions lead from the front—regionally, globally, and ideationally.

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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