IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) inaugurated its first international campus at Dubai International Academic City. It was inaugurated in the presence of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Crown Prince of Dubai), Dharmendra Pradhan (Union Education Minister, India), and India’s Ambassador to UAE.
- Significance: Part of India-UAE knowledge partnership; aligns with Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy (aim: Top 10 global student destinations by 2033).
- Motto: “Indian in spirit, global in outlook.”
Campus Development
Phase 1 (2025):
- Temporary operations from Dubai International Academic City.
- Facilities: Advanced learning in multicultural environment.
Phase 2 (by 2029):
- Permanent campus on allocated land in Dubai.
Academic Programmes
- First Course: One-year full-time MBA (5 terms).
- Target Audience: Working professionals & entrepreneurs.
- First Cohort:
- 35 students: 27 male (77.14%), 8 female (22.86%).
- Backgrounds: Banking, IT, consulting, manufacturing, healthcare, BFSI.
- Future Plans:
- Establish two Centres of Excellence: (1) Case writing & development; (2) Start-up incubation.
- Launch additional programmes for global leadership training.
Related Development
- IIT Delhi: Opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi (Sept 3, 2024).
- Courses: Energy Engineering, Computer Science.
- First batch: 52 BTech students.
- Atal Incubation Centre: Inaugurated at IIMA Dubai campus alongside launch of PhD & BTech programmes in Chemical Engineering and Energy & Sustainability.
IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA):
- Established: 1961.
- Location: Gujarat, India.
- First director: Ravi J. Matthai.
- Known for: Case-study based pedagogy; consistently ranked as India’s No.1 management institute.
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC):
- World’s largest free zone dedicated to higher education.
- Hosts over 27 international universities from across 12 countries.
Education 33 Strategy (Dubai):
- Goal: Transform Dubai into a top 10 global student destination by 2033.
- Focus on global collaborations, research excellence, and student diversity.
India-UAE Education Collaboration:
- IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi (2024).
- Now IIMA in Dubai (2025).
- Part of strengthening India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2017).