IIM Ahmedabad to open Dubai campus under MoU with UAE

IIM Ahmedabad to Establish First Overseas Campus in Dubai through UAE Partnership

Ahmedabad, April 9: In a significant move towards global expansion, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to open its first international campus in Dubai.

The official agreement was signed by IIMA Director Professor Bharat Bhasker and His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. The MoU exchange was witnessed by top dignitaries, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and India’s Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.

A major step towards international presence

Speaking that the opening of the Dubai campus will significantly impact IIMA’s path to becoming a globally renowned management school, Prof. Bhaskar underlined the importance of this partnership. He said Dubai’s excellent infrastructure and thriving business community provide an ideal environment for budding leaders who are capable of navigating global markets.

The Dubai campus will be located in Dubai International Education City (DIAC), a well-known hub for education known for its state-of-the-art academic facilities and multicultural environment.

New full-time MBA programme for global professionals

The first offering from the Dubai campus will be a full-time one-year MBA programme. Focusing on developing leadership qualities through rigorous academic training, skill development and global exposure, the course is designed for international professionals and entrepreneurs. Five academic terms will comprise the curriculum.

The programme aims to meet the growing demand for executive education in the Middle East and surrounding regions.

India’s growing educational footprint

This is the first time that an Indian management institute has opened an office abroad, demonstrating India’s growing influence in the international education sector. There are currently 21 IIMs in India, offering a variety of executive, doctoral and postgraduate management programmes.

The Indian government established the IIMs with the aim of producing top-notch professionals through research, industry-oriented training and high-quality education.

Among them, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta and IIM Bangalore, established in the 1960s and 70s, are considered the pinnacle of this elite group and enjoy global acclaim.

A legacy of greatness and growth

IIM Calicut (1984), IIM Indore (1996), and IIM Lucknow (1984) all continued this reputation in the years that followed. IIM Indore also introduced a revolutionary five-year Integrated Management Programme (IMP) that combines undergraduate and graduate management education.

To increase access to high-quality business education, the Indian government significantly expanded this elite network by creating more IIMs between 2008 and 2011. Since then, new institutions with unique strengths have emerged, including IIM Shillong, IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, IIM Raipur, IIM Tiruchirappalli, IIM Udaipur, and IIM Kashipur.
For example, IIM Shillong focuses on sustainability, while IIM Udaipur is acclaimed for its global engagement and academic excellence.

Through the Dubai campus, IIMA aims to take this legacy of excellence beyond national borders, creating a wider global impact in management education.