IIM Ahmedabad Opens Its First International Campus in Dubai, Full Details 2025

September 12, 2025 Gyan Pulse Current Affairs

IIM Ahmedabad inaugurates its first international campus in Dubai, launching a one-year global MBA program and strengthening India-UAE educational collaboration.

Marking a historic move for Indian higher education, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) opened its first international campus in Dubai on 11 September 2025. The inauguration ceremony was jointly led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s Union Minister of Education.

The event represented a key milestone in the growing India-UAE education partnership, highlighting their shared aim to promote innovation, develop leadership, and support global talent exchange.

Grand Inauguration Attended by Top Leaders

The launch event at Dubai International Academic City was attended by top officials from both India and the UAE, including:

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi – UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy – UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation
Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri – UAE Minister of Education
Sunjay Sudhir – Indian Ambassador to the UAE
Satish Kumar Sivan – Consul General of India in Dubai
IIMA Officials – Who played a key role in implementing the new campus

Sheikh Hamdan praised IIM Ahmedabad’s presence in Dubai as a sign of “strengthening bilateral cooperation” and called it a valuable addition to Dubai’s goal of becoming a global center for education and innovation, in line with initiatives like the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Education 33.

Indian at Heart, Global in Vision

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the launch a “milestone in the globalisation of India’s education,” highlighting that IIMA Dubai represents the institute’s key philosophy of being “Indian in spirit, global in outlook.” He also praised the UAE for its strong support in making this shared vision a reality.

Campus Development and Academic Plan

The Dubai campus will be developed in two phases:

Phase 1: Launch of operations at Dubai International Academic City with full-time academic programs.
Phase 2 (by 2029): Construction of a permanent campus on land allocated by the UAE authorities.

The campus will start with a one-year, full-time MBA program designed for working professionals and entrepreneurs who want an international perspective in management education.

Inaugural Batch and Academic Programs

The inaugural batch at IIMA Dubai comprises 35 students from a variety of industries, including:

Banking
Consulting
Information Technology (IT)
Healthcare
Manufacturing

The program is organized into five terms, focusing on advanced leadership, strategic decision-making, and international business. Located in Dubai, the campus offers a multicultural learning environment and easy access to major global business centers.

Key Strategic Importance for India and the UAE

This expansion carries significant long-term benefits:

Boosts India’s educational influence and global reputation
Strengthens diplomatic and academic ties between India and the UAE
Supports Dubai’s ambition to attract international students and faculty
Offers Indian management education to students from West Asia, Africa, and Europe

The initiative also supports NEP 2020, which encourages Indian institutions to establish international campuses and position India as a leading destination for global education.

Important Highlights

Event: Launch of IIM Ahmedabad’s first overseas campus
Location: Dubai International Academic City
Inaugurated by: Sheikh Hamdan (Dubai) and Dharmendra Pradhan (India)
Programme Offered: One-year full-time MBA for working professionals
Future Plan: Establishment of a permanent campus by 2029
Significance: IIMA’s first global campus, strengthening India’s educational diplomacy