India has taken another big step in global education. On Thursday, September 11, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum jointly inaugurated the first overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) in Dubai.
This is the first time IIM Ahmedabad has expanded outside India. The opening shows how Indian institutions are growing their global presence.
India’s Push for International Education
Speaking at the event, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “We have to internationalise the education system in India. India is a vibrant economy today. Our fundamentals are very positive.”
His statement reflects the Indian government’s vision under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy encourages leading Indian universities and institutions to set up campuses abroad. The aim is to make India a global education hub and share India’s academic model with the world.
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Growing Indian Presence in the Gulf
IIMA Dubai came two years after IIT Delhi launched its Abu Dhabi campus. Five private Indian educational institutions have also opened campuses in the UAE. There is a sizable Indian diaspora in the Gulf, and Indian professionals and students there should benefit from the expanding university network.
The UAE is already a top choice for Indian students. With IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Delhi setting up branches, Indian education is now more accessible to students in the region.
Pradhan’s UAE Visit & New Initiatives
Dharmendra Pradhan is on a two-day visit to the UAE. During his visit, he also toured the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi Campus. There, he launched BTech and PhD programs in chemical engineering and energy and sustainability.
He also inaugurated the Atal Incubation Centre in Abu Dhabi. The centre aims to support startups, entrepreneurship, and innovation among young students.
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Strengthening India-UAE Academic Ties
India and the UAE are not only working on student exchange but also on research. Both countries are planning joint research in key areas like energy, sustainability, and other emerging technologies. They are also building capacity through cultural and academic exchanges.
These issues were part of discussions between Dharmendra Pradhan and the UAE’s Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar.
India as a Global Education Exporter
IIM Ahmedabad campus in Dubai is more than merely a growth, instead, it shows how India is turning into an exporter of education. India is setting up its sizable diaspora and serving the foreign students by establishing world-class universities abroad.
Additionally, this paradigm strengthens India’s soft power. In the international market, it presents Indian education as reliable, robust, and competitive.
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