HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence on September 11 inaugurated the 1st-ever overseas campus of India’s premier business school, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), at Dubai International Academic City, part of TECOM Group PJSC in Dubai.
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE graced the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion Pradhan said that it is another big leap towards globalisation of India’s education as envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that 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 expressed his gratitude to HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for adding a glorious leaf to India-UAE knowledge collaboration.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum welcomed the prestigious institution to Dubai, noting that the opening of IIMA’s first international campus in the emirate reflects the deep-rooted ties and growing partnership between the UAE and India. He further said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai is rapidly growing as a destination of choice for exceptional students and a global hub for talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 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.”
“Dubai continues to draw world-class universities as part of our commitment to advancing the higher education sector in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position Dubai among the world’s top three urban economies, and the Education 33 Strategy, which aspires to make Dubai one of the world’s top 10 student cities by 2033. By fostering a vibrant, multicultural learning environment, we are building an education ecosystem that fuels sustainable development and prepares the next generation to create a brighter tomorrow for Dubai and the world,” His Highness added.
Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, Satish Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, Pankaj Patel, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and Professor Bharat Bhaskar, Director, IIMA and senior officials of the Ministry were present. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by UAE dignitaries including H.E. Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; H.E. Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education; H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Department of Economy and Tourism; and H.E. Aisha Abdulla Miran, Director General of Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
The establishment of the IIMA Dubai Campus has been made possible with the joint vision of the leadership of the Indian and Dubai governments. With the launch of its first international campus at Dubai International Academic City, IIMA has expanded its global presence in management education. The new campus aims to deliver world-class learning opportunities to aspiring leaders across the Middle East and neighbouring regions, while fostering rich cross-cultural exchange and academic collaboration. The Dubai campus is equipped with cutting-edge academic resources and modern amenities to support students’ learning needs.
The first programme launched by the IIMA Dubai Campus is a full-time one-year MBA programme, designed to meet the advanced learning and upskilling requirements of global professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their management expertise. Structured across five terms, the programme will offer a rigorous academic experience and international exposure in a high-calibre learning environment that reflects the global standards of IIMA’s highly ranked MBA.
Pankaj Patel, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIMA, said, “The launch of IIMA’s first international campus in Dubai is a proud milestone for the Institute and for Indian management education. By establishing a presence in one of the world’s most dynamic hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, IIMA is extending its global footprint. This step strengthens our commitment to shaping future-ready leaders who can thrive in an interconnected world.”
Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA, said, “The inauguration of our Dubai campus marks a pivotal moment in IIMA’s journey. This expansion allows us to bring the Institute’s academic excellence and thought leadership to a truly global platform. We are grateful to the Dubai government for extending support in setting up the campus. We see this as a significant step towards shaping a diverse community of leaders who can contribute meaningfully to business and society worldwide.”
In the first year of the Dubai Campus, IIMA also plans to establish two dedicated centres of excellence – one will focus on case writing and development, and the other on start-up incubation. As the campus grows, the Institute will offer more academic programmes in the coming years.
